Team Sky continued its good debut season with a win in the opening team time trial of the Tour of Qatar. The British squad beat the Cervélo Testteam by eight seconds over the 8.2-kilometer course. Garmin was third, also eight seconds adrift. Edvald Boasson Hagen took over the leader's jersey, as he was the first rider to cross the line.
As always the race in the desert was flat but windy, with the course looping around the West Lagoon Bay. The Quick Step team of triple winner Tom Boonen was not able to reach the top five, finishing 20 seconds behind the Sky team. But there was good news for Quick Step rider Andreas Stauff, who was able to take the start. The rules about when to enter the blood passport program prevented the young neo-pro from racing in the Tour Down Under.
The BMC squad had a good day and finished in ninth place, 21 seconds behind and with a virtual tie against Liquigas, Saur-Sojasun and Quick Step.
Boasson Hagen was clad in his Norwegian time trial champion outfit as he stood amongst his teammates, waiting for the other teams to arrive. When it was clear that they had won, the Sky riders celebrated and congratulated each other. Tomorrow, Boasson Hagen will start in the yellow jersey - every day a special jersey for the young talent.
Results stage 1
1 Sky 9'41
2 Cervélo TestTeam at 0'08
3 Garmin-Transitions st
4 Team Saxo Bank 0'13
5 Team HTC-Columbia 0'18
6 Quick Step 0'20
7 Saur-Sojasun 0'21
8 Liquigas st
9 BMC st
10 Vacansoleil 0'22
11 Milram 0'25
12 Katusha 0'33
13 Omega Pharma Lotto st