The 2015 Tour of Qatar brings stages that are comparable to 2014, but the distances are greater. Last year’s journey to Mesaieed was 135 kilometres, now it’s 30 kilometres more. Then the race started in Dukhan, now it’s Al Thakhira to the north of Al Khor.
Broadly the riders are on the same route as stage 2’s, only this time in opposite direction. For an exact copy they would have to head for Al Wakra in the finale, this time they go straight to Mesaieed. The route offers two intermediate sprints – for a 3, 2 and 1 seconds gain – and on the line there are 10, 6 and 4 bonus-seconds up for grabs.
Arrival-place Mesaieed is an industrial center at the Persian Gulf. Edition 2013 saw Mark Cavendish best Barry Markus and Aidis Kruopis in the bunch-sprint on the long straight streets, while Tom Boonen outsprinted André Greipel and Barry Markus last year. It was win number 22 for record-holder Boonen in Qatar.
The finish is expected around 16:30 local time.
Tour of Qatar 2015 stage 4: Images and more
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