Arnaud Demare took his first podium result in the first race of the year when he was third in the first stage of the Tour of Qatar during which the FDJ team made a good impression.

As always, there was wind in the Qatari desert but as it was mainly a headwind, it forced the riders to spend an hour more in the saddle than scheduled.

" The Tour of Qatar is always special because the wind is doing tricks," Demare said. "It was nice to be well placed. It is easy to be caught out and get trapped. My teammates are experienced riders and we have not been trapped once. Especially in the last 15 kilometers when Team Sky accelerated. You have to be in good position and pace yourself but that's how it is here. When there is an echelon, it requires a violent effort that hurts the leg but it's the same for everyone. It allowed me to see that everyone works well here. There is a good ambience."

Demare and his teammates were indeed vigilant during the stage and when Breschel (Saxo-Tinkoff), Boom and Westra (Astana) got a minute with 20 kilometers to go, there was no need to worry. The wind would not allow three riders to resist the peloton.

In the sprint, however, Demare was set back by a mishap.

"I do not like to use it as an excuse but by touching another rider, I damaged my rear derailleur and in the sprint I could not get onto the 11th. When I produced my effort, I had good legs and I finished third. Without it, I think it was possible to win. It's unfortunate but it happens only once a year. Now it's over."

The victory went to Rojas (Movistar) in front of Boonen (Quick Step-Etixx). Demare is also third overall. Mickael Delage, Mathieu Ladagnous and Yoann Offredo also ended in the first group of 50 riders.