Haussler sprints to second Qatar stage win and overall lead
Excellent start to the year for the Garmin-Cervélo Team. After Cameron Meyer’s overall victory in Tour Down Under, Tyler Farrar’s two stage wins in Trofeo Palma de Mallorca, Heinrich Haussler was outsprinting everyone today taking his second stage win in Tour of Qatar, plus claiming the gold leader’s jersey.
Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Cervélo) arrived at the Tour of Qatar admitting that he was still not 100% after the knee injury that ruined his 2010 season, but the Australian showed that his recovery is continuing apace with his second stage victory and the overall lead in Tour of Qatar today after the race again was cut to pieces by heavy crosswinds.
Haussler kicked past Mark Renshaw (HTC-Highroad) and Daniele Bennati (Leopard-Trek) in the sprint to take his second win in two days and claim the gold leader’s jersey.
Tomorrow the riders take on stage four from West Bay Lagoon to Al Kharaitiyat, 153.5km. The 2011 Tour of Qatar concludes on Friday, February 11.
Result stage 3
1. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) Garmin-Cervélo
2. Mark Renshaw (Aus) HTC-Highroad
3. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Leopard Trek
4. Dominique Rollin (Fra) FDJ
5. Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank
Standings after stage 3
1. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) Garmin-Cervélo
2. Mark Renshaw (Aus) HTC-Columbia
3. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Leopard Trek
4. Juan Antonio Flecha (Spa) Team Sky
Photo rights: Team Garmin-Cervélo