Lars Boom came close to destroying the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team's plans in yesterday's windy stage of the Tour of Qatar when he launched a late attack that was only neutralized 800m from the line. The Dutchman admitted that he was actually preparing the sprint and that the late offensive was never a planned move.

Lars Boom came close to upsetting a large breakaway in the Tour of Qatar stage two today. Robert Wagner launched his Dutch team-mate who was unable to survive the last three kilometres to the finish. Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s Tom Boonen sprinted to the win after the group reeled in Boom with 800 metres left. 

“I actually wanted to sprint as well, but when Robert moved up to drop me off, we had so much speed that we created a little gap,” Boom said. “I then thought, ‘I might as well go for it.' Unfortunately, a wind blew from ahead and made me suffer.” 

Boom and Wagner formed part of an escape group of twenty others. They took the lead thanks to hard work in the strong winds. 

The peloton broke up several times and formed into three big groups. Thanks to a good work together, Boom, Wagner and the others managed to stay clear. At the finish, they gained 48 seconds on the second group. 

“Especially in the last 60 kilometres, it was a total war”, said Sports Director Jan Boven. “Theo Bos crashed in that hectic time. He suffered a sour back and some scrapes. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.” 

 

The riders tackle an 11-kilometre individual time trial over a mainly straight course. Boom said that he looks forward to the stage despite today’s near-miss. 

“It’s a nice course,” he explained. “Though, it’s going to be hard because of the wind.”

Starting at 12.45 CET you can follow the time trial on CyclingQuotes.com/live. You can read our preview here.