Dutch rider Kirsten Wild of Team Giant-Shimano is known for both her power and sprint prowess, both of which she demonstrated today by winning the opening stage of the Ladies Tour of Qatar and the leaders jersey. Having won the overall event last year, her first with the team, she showed similar form today dominating all three intermediate sprints, taking three bonus seconds at each which further increased her lead by the finish.
Coach, Ruud Verhagen, said: ‘The team rode great today and were rewarded with the perfect result. After 60km the race split into several groups, with Amy and Kirsten up front and the rest of the team in the second group of around 25 riders. The second group were chasing right up until the last kilometre so the pace at the front stayed high which was perfect for Kirsten. Amy controlled it really well and then Kirsten sprinted perfectly to take the win. We couldn’t have started better.’
Having also won the Ladies Tour of Qatar in 2009 and 2010 Wild will be looking to extend the lead in tomorrow’s Stage 2, 112.5km from Al Zubara to Madinat Al Shamal.
Further details of the Ladies Tour of Qatar at letour.fr