Stage 6: 125 km
Le Champs d’Qatar finale went off as the final day of any Grand Tour. Our Aussie Ben King made the early break, and his quartet still led coming into the 6 km finishing laps along the coast in Doha. Behind, the race was controlled by the team of the leader. All they had to do was get their man to the finishing circuits where his two minute lead would be safe. When we hit the circuits, the sprinter teams threw some guys into the rotation to suck up the breakaway and string out the pack. With just over two km to go, the Ben King show was over, and the other Ben King (me) wasn’t doing anything reckless to be at the front.
The other riders here have generally been encouraging and friendly. Of course, when it gets down to business, they tend to subconsciously and or aggressively wind up in front of the “devo” team. In a race that’s all about positioning, it’s an added challenge. But I’d do the same in their shoes. We’re here to respectfully earn their respect and learn from them.
Overall, it was a solid start to the season for us. Despite holding down last place in team GC, we are certainly getting a jumpstart on our season and careers through this experience. It is only February, and our target races are months away. Taylor, on the other hand, has the World Track Championships to focus on next month. Qatar will be a major boost for his confidence and strength. The rest of us head to the Tour of Oman where we begin another 6 days of racing in one day. Subbing in for Taylor will be Aussie, Tim Roe, who has managed to train by himself in Qatar everyday without getting run over by an Arab drifter or going insane riding through the desert. That’s a wrap on Qatar, one very unique race.