The Tour of Qatar is, as we have already discussed, Tom Boonen’s race. Qatari crosswinds are simply no match for Tornado Tom, as he proved by racking up the second win of this year’s race and the 22nd of his career. Boonen is undoubtedly the king of the desert, and his injury-stricken 2013 season appears well in the past as he continues to show his all-round class.

Victory on stage two was achieved emphatically – Omega Pharma-Quickstep showed their unrivalled mastery of the crosswinds and Boonen sprinted to victory by several lengths. This win however, was made of much more. Up against Andre Greipel and one of pro cycling’s most efficient sprint trains in Lotto-Belisol, Boonen reminded us all not only is he a hard man of the Classics, a master of the echelon and a willing support rider too – see stage one – he has a sprint of some class too. There is a world of difference between the desert and the cobbles, but Boonen is certainly in imperious form.