The second stage of the Tour of Qatar ended in a bunch sprint near Doha’s centre. Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha) won the stage and Team LottoNL-Jumbo riders Mike Teunissen and Moreno Hofland rode in the race’s head group for some time.

As with the first stage of the Tour of Qatar, the wind was a factor on Tuesday. The 135-kilometre stage included four loops on the 2016 World Championships course that made it difficult to hold a gap with an echelon.

“You’re more comfortable when you’re in the first group,” sports director Jan Boven said. “Especially after yesterday’s miss, we wanted to show that we’re good enough to take a spot in the first group.

“We were focussed and in the right place with the whole team when the raced turned left after 30 kilometres. We knew that it was an important point in the race. Mike Teunissen and Moreno Hofland were in the first group and we had four men in the second echelon, as well.”

“Moreno and I were already very close to the first group yesterday, but today, we made it,” Teunissen said. “It was a pity that the four echelons folded together in the end, but it was good for our morale that we were there. The difference between yesterday and today was that we had a little bit of luck I guess. 150 riders know where you have to be in the front, but you just can’t be there every time.”

The worlds circuit included turn after turn over an artificial island called the Pearl. It was difficult for the front men to keep their advantage.

“The riders were able to see each other riding because of all the slow turns,” Boven added. “When everything came together, we made a plan for the bunch sprint. Unfortunately, we were a little bit too late. With 500 metres to go, a big crash happened and we were behind it. Fortunately, none of us were involved, but we have to evaluate our lead-out carefully to be better prepared.”

The riders will have to time trial 11 kilometres for the third stage of the Tour of Qatar. As per race rules, they must use normal road bikes. “That is the rule in this race, so we’re trying to take our advantage another way. We’ll adjust our tires and wheels the best we can. Especially with Jos van Emden, we will try to grab a good result.”