For the sprinters in the peloton, the season really kicks off at the Tour of Qatar.  Between the buildings and the desert, it is this rather paradoxical setting that breathes a pre-classical flavor into the race.  With that in mind, the IAM Cycling team will suit up riders who are able to contest for the win with fast finishes. 

“Our leader will be Heinrich Haussler,” directeur sportif Eddy Seigneur explained.  “The objective will be to have at least one stage win with him, and then we’ll see if we have a chance to play for the general classification after we see the results of the time trial.  For the time trial, which will be the third stage of the race, everyone will have his chance. The course is flat and very fast.  We will have a very good chance at a great result there since we have Matthias Brändle, and will be hoping for a victory.  But considering it is such a short distance, even a rider like Haussler will have the chance to succeed.”
 
However, speed and explosiveness will not be the only assets that the riders will need to have for this 14th edition of the Tour of Qatar. 

“Every day there will be risks with gutter riding and echelons,” Seigneur said.  “The wind is the greatest opponent on these roads.  That is why we need to have good riders in the group to protect Heino.  Our vigilance will be even more important in the first two stages because anything can happen at the start of the race.”

Riders: 
Marcel Aregger (S)
Matthias Brändle (Aut)
Dries Devenyns (Bel)
Heinrich Haussler (Aus)
Reto Hollenstein (S)
Roger Kluge (All)
Vicente Reynes (Esp)
Jonas Van Genechten (Bel)