Arndt wins Ladies Tour of Qatar Friday, 03 February 2012 23:47

Netherlands’ Kirsten Wild (left), Team Specialized Lululemon’s Trixi Worrack (right) and Germany’s Judith Arndt pose on the podium during the third stage of the Ladies Tour of Qatar race in Doha yesterday. Syed Omar

Doha: Judith Arndt of GreenEDGE-AIS won the all-German battle for overall victory in the Ladies Tour of Qatar, holding off a challenge from Trixi Worrack of Specialized – lululemon.

Arndt finished fourth on the stage and earned bonus seconds at both intermediate sprints to solidify her lead.

“The margin between me and Worrack was a mere two seconds and it was important to get those bonus seconds in the intermediate sprints and I managed that. I’m very happy to start with a victory here with a new team,” said the veteran cyclist.

“It was tough but I have been around for long enough now to know what has to be done. The team was a huge support and everything went as per plan. You have to see the direction of the wind and try to make the most. Very much happy with the showing,” revealed Arndt, the reigning world time trial champion.

Though unseated from the lead yesterday, Kirsten Wild (Netherlands) was quickest in the bunch sprint for victory in Doha’s Katara Cultural Village to take her second stage win. The Dutch powerhouse was fastest again in the 92.5km to finish ahead of compatriots Ellen Van Dijk (Specialized-Lululemon) and Adrie Visser (Skil-1t4i).

“I didn’t stand a chance after losing out on crucial time in the second stage. However, it was great to win the final stage. Two stage wins from three with a young side is pleasing. We will look to improve from here on,” a visibly pleased Wild.

The big duel in the desert was between experienced pair Arndt and Worrack, who were separated by two seconds before the race’s final stage.

As riders slogged into a horrific headwind early on, Kendell Ryan (USA) escaped alone for 30 kilometres, getting a maximum gap of five minutes before being reeled in.

It came down to the day’s intermediate sprints. Third at the first one, first at the second, world time-trial champion Arndt secured four precious seconds to extend her slender lead over Worrack.

The final result means one race, one win for the GreenEdge-AIS women’s team.

“We did a perfect lead out to the finish... it’s better than perfect,” Arndt said at the finish.

“I didn’t really feel pressure until today, because today we had something to lose.”

One of the most experienced riders in the bunch, Arndt’s big goals for the season are the Olympic time-trial and road race in London. The Peninsula

Ladies Tour of Qatar
Result stage 3
1. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Netherlands National Team
2. Ellen van Dijk (Ned) Specialized-lululemon
3. Adrie Visser (Ned) Skil-1t4i
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) GreenEDGE-AIS
5. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Specialized-lululemon
6. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Diadora-Pasta Zara
7. Monia Baccaille (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini
8. Jessie MacLean (Aus) GreenEDGE-AIS
9. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Specialized-lululemon
10. Elena Cecchini (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini
Final overall standings
1. Judith Arndt (Ger) GreenEDGE-AIS    8h 00’ 44”
2. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Specialized-lululemon    6s
3. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Netherlands National Team    2’06”
4. Ellen van Dijk (Ned) Specialized-lululemon    2’57”
5. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Specialized-lululemon    3’04”
6. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) GreenEDGE-AIS    3’12”
7. Alex Rhodes (Aus) GReenEDGE-AIS    03’ 33”
8. Jessie MacLean (Aus) GreenEDGE-AIS    05’ 26”
9. Monia Baccaille (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini    05’ 26”
10. Elena Cecchini (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini    05’ 26”
TEAMS
How they finished
1.Team Specialized Lululemon SLU    24h 08’ 51”
2.Greenedge - AIS GEW    00’ 03”
3.Mcipollini Giambenini MCG    09’ 39”
4.Stichting Rabo Women RBW    10’ 06”
5.Netherlands NED    30’ 55”
6.SKIL-1t4i SKI    36’ 03”
7.China Chongming-Giant GPC    44’ 01”
8.Hitec Products-Mistral Home HPU    48’ 30”
9.Germany GER    56’ 13”
10.Diadora-Pasta Zara DPZ 1h    06’ 09”

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