Feb 7th, 10. A top field of riders are ready to tackle the Tour of Qatar looking to end Tom Boonen's winning streak.  Boonen has won three of the last four tours. 

Boonen ready to defend his Tour of Qatar title ©QSI / Tim de Waele

This is what makes the six stage, six day, 704km, UCI 2.1 tour perfect preparation for the early season classic races and why again this year the pro-tour teams have sent impressive line-ups.

While the Santos Tour Down Under gave the Southern Hemisphere riders their first taste of racing in 2010, the Tour of Qatar, which starts today, is the first race for those who are coming out of Europe's cold winter.

This is no warm-up tour though.  The riders know the crosswinds create opportunities for race winning breakaways meaning the first hour of racing is often fast and furious with teams jostling to hold the front of the peloton.

"Where you lose minutes is when there are echelons and 18 or 20 riders go away," BMC Director Sportif John Lelangue said. "They'll get three or four minutes. The main thing is to always be vigilant and fighting at the front of the group."

Quckstep's Boonen knows all about the fast and furious racing, he's won the tour three times and he said he can't wait to compete again this year.

"This type of race represents an important test to measure your level of preparation and the work undertaken throughout the winter," said the Belgian Champion.

"Our team is competitive and motivated. We're ready."

Also motivated are Team Sky where Bradley Wiggins and Edvald Boasson Hagen will make their debut with the new British team.  Today's short 8.2km team time trial opener isn't long enough to make a dent on the overall standings but it's still a focus for Team Sky. Wiggins took the yellow jersey after this stage last year.

Other fastmen of the tour include Cervelo TestTeam's Heinreich Haussler (2nd in 2009), Garmin Transitions' Tyler Farrar, SaxoBank's Fabian Cancellara, Katusha's Filippo Pozzato and Omega Pharma Lotto's Philippe Gilbert.

New Zealand's only rider in this tour is Jesse Sergent who is racing with his Trek Livestrong U23 team.   (See Sergent looking forward to Tour of Qatar experience.)

Tour of Qatar startlist

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