Michael Hepburn (Orica-GreenEDGE) again proved that he has taken a massive step up this year when he won the 10.9km time trial in the Tour of Qatar. In a very close battle, he beat renowned specialists Lars Boom (Belkin) and Fabian Cancellara (Trek) while Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) took 5th to extends his overall lead over Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) to 21 seconds.

Michael Hepburn has had some difficult seasons as a professional but this year he has decided to focus completely on the road, putting aside his several track commitments. The results of this dedication are there right from the beginning of the season as he has today taken the biggest win of his career in the time trial at the Tour of Qatar.

Just a month after beating his teammate Luke Durbridge at the Australian TT Nationals, the track specialist powered around the flat, windy 10.9km route on the Lusail Motor Circuit to stop the clock in 13.28. Having lost plenty of time in the crosswinds on the opening days, he was an early starter and faced a long wait in the hot seat.

Hepburn had gauged his effort perfectly and had been far off the mark at the intermediate check. In the final headwind section, however, he had put down the hammer and was by far the fastest rider in the second half.

This also gave him a few scares as he could see a number of riders set much faster times at the midpoint. Daniele Bennati (Tinkoff-Saxo) was one of those but the Italian sprinter was 6 seconds slower at the finish and could only manage 4th.

Most focus was on Fabian Cancellara who was the big favourite to win the stage and the Swiss appeared to be on his way to another dominant performance when he set the best time at the split. However, he lost a massive 15 seconds in the second half and when he crossed the line, he was 6 seconds off Hepburn's mark.

Hepburn could smell the victory when Lars Boom - the only rider to have won a time trial in the race's history - set a time at the split that was a massive 4 seconds faster than Cancellara's. Like all other riders, however, the Dutchman lost plenty of time in the final section and crossed the line an agonizingly tiny 0.41 seconds off the lead.

The final rider who could upset Hepburn, was race leader Niki Terpstra. The Dutchman had a solid ride to take 5th and this allowed him to extend his overall lead over Jurgen Roelandts from 5 to 21 seconds.

Boom's good performance moved him into 3rd, 3 seconds further drift, while Mr. Tour of Qatar, Tom Boonen, will find it difficult to take a 5th overall win as he fell down to 4th, 28 seconds off the lead.

However, things could shake up again tomorrow on the 135km 4th stage. It will be another windy day and as the riders will have a cross-tailwind for most of the day, splits are guaranteed to occur.

A novelty

For only the second time in the race's history, the Tour of Qatar included a time trial as the riders were tested on an 10.9km flat course on the Lusail Motor Circuit. The stage was much longer than the prologue that opened the race three years ago and was expected to have a major role on the final GC.

The first rider down the ramp Stefano Locatelli (Bardiani) but it was Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) who set the first serious mark. However, he didn't enjoy his time in the hot seat for long as Hepburn was the 12th rider to start his time trial and lowered the mark by a massive 39 seconds.

Specialists disappoint

Gert Steegmans (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) moved into 2nd with a time of 13.45 while time trial specialist Sven Tuft (Orica-GreenEDGE) could only manage 14.09. Specialists Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Patrick Gretsch (Ag2r) both had disappointing rides but Jesse Sergent (Trek) proved his credentials when he slotted into the provisional 3rd.

A few moments later, Brett Lancaster made it two Orica-GreenEDGE riders in the provisional top 4 but all eyes were now on Bennati who had set the fastest time at the intermediate check. At the finish, howeever, he was 6 seconds off the Hepburn's mark.

Cancellara misses out

Guillaume Van Keirsbulck continued his solid showing in Qatar but moving into the provisional 3rd while Jens Mouris (Oirca-GreenEDGE), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), and Jos Van Emden (Belkin) also got into the provisional top 10. At this point, however, all eyes were on Cancellara who was expected to crush Hepburn's time.

At the intermediate check, the Swiss was 9 seconds faster than the Australian but the former world champion was clearly struggling in the second part. At the finish, he was even very close to be moved down into 3rd as he only held off Bennati by 0.02 second.

Gilbert shows good form

Lieuwe Westra (Astana) had a hugely disappointing rider while Andrew Fenn lost his white jersey to teammate Van Keirsbulck. Philippe Gilbert (BMC) proved that his form is good at the start of the season when he set the 5th fastest time.

It was now time for the GC battle to start and Boonen was the first to see how he would do on the course. A time of 13.50 was, however, only good enough for the provisional 11th spot.

Boom gets close

Martin Elmiger (IAM) stormed around the course in the 4th best time but the focus was now on Boom who had set the best time at the intermediate check. In a true drama, however, the Dutchman crossed the line in a time that was 0.41 off the one set by Hepburn.

At the intermediate check, Terpstra was 5th and the race leader kept his speed all the way to the finish to keep that spot. The defeat was less of a concern though as he was happy to comfortable extend his overall lead at the halfway point of the race.