Last year, the stage to Al Khor left from Al Sheehaniya, in 2015 the race starts more to the south in Al Wakra. The route is 30 kilometres longer and on different roads also, while both intermediate sprints (3, 2, 1 bonus-seconds) are in the second half of racing. On the line the winner takes 10 seconds and it counts down to 6 seconds and 4 seconds.
In two days stage 4 will bring a race with broadly the same route, only in reverse.
The finish-line is at the promenade in Al Khor. Mark Cavendish was fastest in 2013 and last year it was Tom Boonen outsprinting a small pack after a strong team-performance. With 32 kilometres left Omega Pharma-QuickStep broke the peloton using the strong headwind, and André Greipel was dropped.
Lars Boom and Robert Wagner attacked in the finale, but to no avail. Record-holder Tom Boonen took his 21st stage victory ever in Qatar.
The finish is expected around 14:15 local time.
Tour of Qatar 2015 stage 2: Images and more
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