Today’s third stage of the Tour of Qatar took the riders from Al Wakra to Mesaieed.

Second placed Taylor Phinney (BMC) and Karsten Kroon (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) were among the 20 victims of a bunch crash 18 km into the stage. While Phinney was able to finish the stage, Kroon was taken to the hospital to be examined for injuries.

In the expected bunch sprint all the teams were eager to get their lead out trains on track. Omega Pharma-Quick Step, however, were unsuccessful in their attempts and Cavendish had to try his luck on his own in the deciding phases of the stage. The British super sprinter managed to do just fine even without the assistance of his teammates as he outsprinted Barry Markus (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Aidis Kruopis (Orica GreenEdge) in a confused and rather chaotic finish for his second win of the season.
 

The General Classification is still dominated by BMC following their success in yesterday’s team time trial. Mark Cavendish, however, moves into 4th position as a result of his 12 seconds bonus today and he looks set to be a serious candidate for overall victory.

3rd Stage:

1. Mark Cavendish - Omega Pharma-Quick Step

2. Barry Markus - Vacansoleil-DCM

3. Aidis Kruopis - Orica GreenEdge

General Classification:

1. Brent Boookwalter – BMC

2. Taylor Phinney – BMC 0.06

3. Adam Blythe – BMC 0.07

4. Mark Cavendish - Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0.08

5. Greg Van Avermaet – BMC 0.10