The pan-flat topography of Qatar may have suggested a straight-forward week in the desert for pro cycling’s great and good but the Tour of Qatar proved to be anything but.
Crosswinds shredding the peloton to bits, tailwinds pushing average speeds up to 57km/h and Omega Pharma-Quickstep mastering it all in a dominant display of strength and experience – for the riders not wearing turquoise and black, the second of pro cycling’s three desert engagements presented a demanding encounter.
Niki Terpstra and his team-mates delivered a memorable six days of hot weather racing, while several contenders for the spring Classics got some valuable miles in their legs.
Relive all the action in this stunning gallery of photos below from photographer Bruno Bade, whose images we bring you with the kind permission of race organisers, the ASO.
