Tour of Qatar 2016: Favourites

Hard winds make the Tour of Qatar a perfect preparation for the spring classics in Belgium. Often the individual time trial is decisive for the overall win. Cyclingstage.com brings you all GC-favourites in the 2016 Tour of Qatar. (Slideshow route/profile)

Last year, Niki Terpstra used the ITT two lay the groundwork for his overall win. Despite Alexander Kristoff winning three stages, and thus taking a time bonus of 30 seconds, the Dutchman blew hem away in the chrono by putting 44 seconds into the Norwegian.

In Qatar, wind is another crucial factor. Quite literally, the overall winner should be able to take a blow.

All in all, the Tour of Qatar is about sprinting, echelons and time trialling, which brings us to this list of main contenders: