Tour of Qatar *Live on Eurosport*

[Rob Q]

For those who are slouching about the house today

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

well, the usual huge crowds thronging the roadside. not quite the sping classics but any cycling is better than nothing.

[-Adam-]

The point of the TTT or a race in Qatar?

[Andrew G]

The race = money, run by ASO so brownie points for teams looking for wildcards, sharpen up race legs after winter training.
The TTT = Too short in distance, but on road bikes to avoid the logistical nightmare and cost of taking 8 TT bikes over for 8kms.
Why race in Qatar = Money, money, money, money, money.....
The race is boring as hell as it's all pan flat roads through the desert with no scenery, or even bends in the road, for mile after mile. Windy so lots of echelons, and lots of non race fit riders getting dropped as there's no reason for them to be race fit in February.

[Phil H]

Well I've been doing my own tour of catarrh and it's been pretty tedious too.

If they'd made the TTT a reasonable distance, then there could've been split times and tactics and things. Instead of 10 minutes ride around what looked like a post-apocalyptic Milton Keynes.

[sonic909]

Sky plus was made for this!

[quote="Andrew G"]The TTT = Too short in distance, but on road bikes to avoid the logistical nightmare and cost of taking 8 TT bikes over for 8kms.

[Andrew G]

Not sure how an 8km flat TTT gives a non-sprinter a chance at the GC, when it's that short the time gaps are very small. It's a similar distance to a lot of prologues and a lot of sprinters can do a good prologue TT. I just think if you're going to start with a TTT why not make it say 20-25kms and a bit more worthwhile.

I like a good echelon but watching the same thing with a dull backdrop day after day is boring. The lack of variety in terrain and so much of the scenery being desert doesn't make it very entertaining for me. So many long straight roads as well.

I didn't say everyone was not fit or that some of them wouldn't target early season races, but a lot will not be wanting to be firing at the begining of February.

[-Adam-]

If your not wanting to get fit in Feb, then you wouldn't be in Qatar!

Personally I watch a race on TV to see the race, not the scenery. Next you'll be telling me that the classics are too dangerous with their cobbles and rain...

[Andrew G]

That's what I was saying, they're racing themselves fit not actually race fit. I watch 'the race' as well, Qatar is just boring to watch. I wouldn't suggest watching a TT up and down the Tonbridge Bypass would make entertaining viewing either.

[Jon H]

I bet the Saxo Bank boys were having a bit of a snigger about dropping Cancellara in the TTT

[Rob W]

Is there a population in Qatar.or have they been removed for the race ?

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Worth watching Friday's stage to see Chicchi's amazing come from nowhere bunch sprint win!! That boy is good!

[MJ_1993]

OI qatar is a nice place really. its like a better version of dubai alongside bahrain. i think it would be more fun to watch if they used the dirt roads and made it like some quasi-desert classic.