Philippe Gilbert ready for the Tour of Qatar 2012
The number one cyclist at the UCI Elite Men Category 2011, Philippe Gilbert is eyeing the Tour of Qatar to kick-off his 2012 campaign.
Gilbert secured a maximum number of 698 points to his credit during the previous season and overcame his new teammate, Cadel Evans, with a huge lead of 124 points.
The Belgian will be accompanied by another classic specialist, Thor Hushovd, in the BMC squad.
The team’s Directeur Sportif John Lelangue believes that the Tour of Qatar is the best opportunity for his side to welcome the season.
Adam Blythe, Martin Kohler, Klaas Lodewijk, Taylor Phinney, Michael Schar and Danilo Wyss will also ride along Gilbert and Hushovd during the Tour of Qatar.
Tour of Qatar is scheduled next month, from February 5-10, with a total number of six stages. The cyclists will cover a total distance of almost 724 kilometres through the six days of racing.
The 2012 edition of race will feature as many as four flat stages which will be an ideal opportunity for the sprinters and the all-rounders.
The second stage of the race is an 11.3 kilometre team’s time trial at the Lusail car racing circuit.
Gilbert commented on the Tour of Qatar, "I like this race first because it's put on by Eddy Merckx, meaning it's well organized and perfect".
Gilbert also said, "It's also good preparation for the wind and to get a good feeling with our new riders and teammates".
Taylor Phinney is also lined up for the Tour of Qatar and the former US national time trial champion is keen to have a positive start for the 2012 season.
He briefed, "I raced here in 2010 as my first real race against the 'big boys,' so I look forward to coming back. I hope to come out of training camp well and really make a showing or be able to help our guys get some quality results".
Organisers of the race have released a final list of 16 teams to ride the 2012 version of the Tour.
The list of teams featuring in the event includes, BMC Racing Team, Bridgestone Anchor Pro Cycling Team, Champion System, Farnese Neri Cycling Team, FDJ-BigMat and Garmin-Barracuda.
Other teams to ride the tour are Liquigas-Cannondale, Lotto-Belisol Team, Omega Pharma-Quick Step Cycling Team, Project 1t4i, Rabobank, Radioshack-Nissan, RTS Racing team, Sky Pro Cycling Team, GreenEdge Cycling Team and Team Katusha.
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