Boonen triumphs as Cav crashes

On a day when Mark Cavendish crashed in the final kilometre and lost any hope of his second stage win at the Tour of Qatar, fellow sprinter Tom Boonen wrapped up overall victory in the Persian Gulf.

Boonen finished safely in the bunch of yesterday’s sixth and final stage from the Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche, won by Frenchman Arnaud Demare (FDJ-BigMat).

The two Irish riders in the race, David McCann (RTS Racing Team) and Matt Brammeier (Omega Pharma Quick Step) were 33rd and 109th respectively.

McCann was an impressive 73rd overall, just five minutes and 10 seconds back on Boonen while Brammeier, who rode superbly for team-mate Boonen all week, constantly protecting the Belgian at the front, was 10 minutes, 14 seconds back.