Tuesday 10 February 2015 14:33, UK
Sir Bradley Wiggins lost more time while Alexander Kristoff claimed sprint victory following a wild second stage at the Tour of Qatar.
Kristoff (Katusha) led from the front in a severely reduced bunch sprint into Al Khor Corniche as just 15 riders contested the victory.
Andrea Guardini (Astana) and Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing) rounded out the podium placings on a day which saw the peloton blasted by sand storms and echelon-inducing cross-winds.
Wiggins again missed out on the key moves as the peloton repeatedly split into groups, eventually crossing the line 9 minutes and 18 seconds back to end all chance of overall victory.
The Brit will be hoping for better fortunes in Tuesday’s time trial which will see him debut his world champion’s rainbow jersey.
Kristoff heads into that 10.9km test with a one-second lead to defend over four-time Qatar race winner Tom Boonen (Etixx – Quick-Step).
The racing was consistently fast and furious during the 194.5km test with a nervous peloton quickly split to pieces in the wind.
Etixx – Quick-Step and Trek Factory Racing were instrumental in splitting the race apart on various occasions, but a number of big names ultimately found themselves caught out on the run for home.
Overnight leader Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) had to battle before eventually finishing just over three minutes adrift. Wiggins also found himself on the back foot, caught in the fourth group on the road, 2:25 back early on alongside the likes of Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).
With 50km in the books the race came back together and the pace slowed enough to entice a break of five riders up the road.
After two hours the race split again, with Boonen again the instigator as a select lead group formed in the wind. That group continued to whittle down to just 15, and with sprint favourite Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin) distanced the way was opened for Kristoff.
Stage two result
1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha, 3:49:51
2 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana, same time
3 Greg van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing, st
4 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo, st
5 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx – Quick-Step, st
6 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling, st
7 Adam Blythe (Gbr) Orica-GreenEdge, st
8 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing, st
9 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing, st
10 Ian Stannard (Gbr) Team Sky, st
Selected other
109 Bradley Wiggins (GB) Team Sky, +9:18
General classification
1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha, 7:39:31
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx – Quick-Step, +1
3 Greg van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing, +3
4 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana, +4
5 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx – Quick-Step, +8
6 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing, +9
7 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo, +10
8 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling, st
9 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek Factory Racing, st
10 Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo, st
Selected other
94 Bradley Wiggins (GB) Team Sky, +10:01
