BMC Racing, Bookwalter win Qatar stage 2, defend lead

BMC Racing won the stage 2 team time trial at the Tour of Qatar on Monday, defending overnight leader Brent Bookwalter’s golden leader’s jersey.

Mark Cavendish and Omega Pharma-Quick Step led into the final three teams after setting a time of 16:17, but Sky started second-to-last and displaced Omega Pharma at the line, logging a time of 16:11 for the 14km test.

It was BMC Racing, however, that owned the day, with Taylor Phinney pulling hard to the line for a 16:07.

“You felt everyone of those 14km like it was 20,” said Bookwalter. “The team was just incredible. I’m beside myself… I think it was all for one, one for all today.”

Bookwalter leads teammates Phinney by six seconds and Adam Blythe by 10 seconds in the general classification.

“[Phinney] really led us well today, not just with his pulls but with his leadership,” said Bookwalter. “We’re going to enjoy today; it’s a big team effort, and we’ll come back out to do it again.”

The Tour of Qatar continues Tuesday with the 143km third stage from Al Wakra to Mesaieed.

You can read the original article here: http://www.velonews.com/2013/02/news/bmc-racing-bookwalter-win-qatar-stage-2-defend-lead_273934