Steurs streaks to stage two win

2010/02/10

DOHA: Belgian Topsport rider Geert Steurs won the second stage of the Tour of Qatar on Monday after edging Dutchman Wouter Mol of the Vacansoleil team, who assumed the overall lead. Steurs and Mol launched a breakaway after barely two kilometres of the 147km course between the Camel Race Track and the Qatar Foundation, which is the longest of the race.

The peloton, including Belgian Tom Boonen -- who lies fourth overall -- and his compatriot Philippe Gilbert, American Tyler Farrar and Germany's Heinrech Haussler, crossed the line just under two minutes behind the lead pair.

Steurs dedicated his stage victory to his former teammate Frederik Nolf, who died in the same race last year.

Norwegian national champion Kurt-Asle Arvesen will play no further part after he crashed out the day before his 35th birthday.

He tumbled at the start of the stage and broke his collarbone for the second time in a year, having sustained the same injury in last year's Tour de France. -- AFP