In 2013 an elbow infection forced Tom Boonen to miss the Tour of Qatar for the first time since 2003 but this year the Omega Pharma-Quick Step will be back in the race that he has so dominated in the past. However, he will face fierce competition from a host of sprinters, led by André Greipel who will be eager to make his mark on a race that he has not yet won a stage in.

 

‘Master of the house’ Tom Boonen is returning to Qatar, although the leader of Omega Pharma Quick Step will have the star sprinter of the Belgian team Lotto-Belisol as his main rival. André Greipel also seems to have all it takes to leave his mark on the history of the event.

 

For the last twelve years at the start of the season, the roads of Qatar bring together riders with different ambitions. Each has his own strategy and short- or medium-term objectives, and everyone starts with his confidence sky-high.

 

The best way to boost this confidence is, not surprisingly, previous wins, and race number 1 holder Tom Boonen has often taken first place on the podium in Doha. The winner of 20 stages, the classic rider knows full well that the years in which he has won in Qatar are among the most productive of his career.

 

Indeed, his only stumble in the Qatar race in 2013 took place in his most unproductive season, with just one stage win in the Tour of Wallonia. To get back in the groove, ‘Tornado Tom’ will return to the formula that has given him the best results.

 

His search for gold, however, may well come up against the hunger of another collector of bouquets, a man who has decided to come to Qatar to give his season an early boost: André Greipel.

 

The German rider was only 22 years old when he took part in his first and only Tour of Qatar in 2005, but he is back with a much better chance of beating Boonen on his ‘home ground’. Greipel, nicknamed ‘the Gorilla’, has already made his mark by winning two stages of the season’s curtain-raiser, the Tour Down Under.

 

Apart from the two main favourites, the circle of aspirants can be extended to a few other sprinters who will be there or thereabouts, such as the previous stage winners Heinrich Haussler, Greg Van Avermaet or Arnaud Demare, but they will also have to fight off Daniele Bennati, Borut Bozic, Alexander Kristoff and Elia Viviani.

 

Defending champion Mark Cavendish will not be back to defend his title, preferring to do the new Dubai Tour which precedes the Qatari race.

 

This year's edition of the Tour of Qatar will again consist of 5 flat road stages that are held on the windy desert roads in the Middle East country. In addition to that, the race will have its second ever individual time trial as it will replace the team time trial that has featured in most of the races in recent years. The race is again likely to be dominated by the fierce crosswinds and a number of bunch sprints, with the time trial likely to play a crucial role for the final GC.

 

Today organizers ASO announced a list of the biggest names who are expected to be in attendance.

 

Australia

Orica – GreenEDGE : Howard (Aus), Tuft (Can)

 

Belgium

Omega Pharma-Quick Step: Boonen, Steegmans (Bel), Terpstra (Ned)

Lotto-Belisol : Greipel (Ger), Roelandts (Bel)

Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise : Van Staeyen, Wallays (Bel)

 

France

FDJ.fr : Demare, Offredo (Fra)

AG2R La Mondiale : Riblon, Turgot, Gaudin (Fra)

 

Germany

Team NetApp-Endura : Bennett (Irl)

 

Great Britain

Team Sky : Eisel (Aut), Stannard (Gbr)

 

Italy

Cannondale : Viviani (Ita)

Bardiani CSF : Battaglin (Ita)

 

Kazakhstan

Astana Pro Team : Guardini (Ita), Bozic (Slo), Westra (Ned)

 

Netherlands

Belkin Pro Cycling : Bos, Boom (Hol)

 

Russia

Team Katusha : Kristoff (Nor)

Tinkoff-Saxo : Bennati (Ita), Morkov (Den)

 

Suisse

IAM Cycling : Haussler (Aus), Elmiger (Che)

 

United States

BMC Racing Team : Gilbert, Van Avermaet (Bel)

Trek Factory Racing : Cancellara (Swi)

United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team : Förster (Ger), Maaskant (Ned)

 

United Arab Emirates

Skydive Dubaï : L-S. Haedo (Arg), Chtioui (Tun)

 

Stages

Stage 1, Sunday, February 9: Al Wakra – Dukhan Beach (135.5 km)

Stage 2, Monday, February 10: Camel Race Track – Al Khor Corniche (160.5 km)

Stage 3, Tuesday, February 11: Lusail Circuit, individual time trial (10.9 km)

Stage 4, Wednesday, February 12: Dukhan - Mesaieed (135 km)

Stage 5, Thursday, February 13: Al Zubara Fort – Madinat ash-Shamal (159 km)

Stage 6, Friday, February 14: Sealine Beach Resort – Doha Corniche (113.5 km)