Tour of Qatar – Stage 5 – Vincente Reynes «Qatar is unique among races, so it’s important never to panic»

Nothing is standing in the way of Alexander Kristoff on the roads of the Tour of Qatar.  Between Al Zubarah Fort and Madina Al Shamal, again nature took its course. After having won the second stage and the fourth, the Norwegian rider from the Katusha cycling team once again made best use of his speed.  Heinrich Haussler, as well, repeated his high placings, and took a strong 6th on the line.  Though Niki Terpstra suffered a bit of a scare in the final kilometers, he was able to finish with the leaders and retain his six second advantage on the general classification.

For IAM Cycling, it was not an easy day.

“We had a day of punctures,” explained directeur sportif Eddy Seigneur. “It was a fight all the time, and since there was yet again a lot of wind, there were also a lot of echelons forming.  Much of the course was very sandy, so that set us up for multiple flats.  I really want to take my hat off to the team for this stage.  The pace was greater than 50km/h much of the time, and even if their extraordianry efforts have not garnered a victory, they have really ridden very well as a team.  I am extremely happy with the group.  The only downside for use, after the efforts of the recent days, it was wiser for Dries Devenyns to abandon, in view of his upcoming program. ”

The determined and aggressive team kept its concentration in the final kilometers.  

“We saw a group of 10 riders with guys from Katusha try to make a break just before the finish, ” Vincente Reynes said.  “Initially, Heino was not with them, but Qatar is so unusual, you should never panic, and always remain very calm.  We knew the wind was going to turn and that we would all get back together again.  So we all worked for Haussler, and he was able to regain his position in the field as he needed.  It’s great that he has recovered from his crash yesterday, so everything is fine.  All this helps the IAM Cycling team.  For the final stage, the wind will not be as dangerous as it has been, and there will be limited risks of echelons, so I think, considering the group we have here, we can do great things on Friday. ”