Team Giant Shimano – SUPER Kirsten Wild completes clean sweep of “Ladies Tour of Qatar”
Kirsten Wild (NED) has won the final stage of the Ladies Tour of Qatar and with it takes her fourth overall title, and her second in two years. The win completes an amazing Tour for the team where they won all four stages, took first and second in the overall general classification, won the points jersey and also the young rider’s jersey. The final stage of the race didn’t splinter in the wind as the previous three have done, and coming into the final kilometres the bunch was together and attacks were flying as other teams tried to avoid a bunch sprint. The Team Giant-Shimano riders were taking it in turns to cover the moves, with Julia Soek (NED) especially active in policing moves before taking control of the front of the bunch to set Wild up in a perfect position to unleash her powerful finish. White jersey wearer, Amy Pieters (NED) opened up the sprint and once Wild went no one could match her pace. This final stage win completes an amazing Tour for the team where they won all four stages, took first and second in the overall general classification, won the points jersey and also the young rider’s jersey. A very happy Wild said after the finish: “That was awesome, what a way to dominate a race. The whole team have been great out here all week, and the overall win is thanks to them. “It was great for Amy to get a stage too, showing that each of us is strong enough to win stages. I really like this race, as you can see and it is a great way to start the season, giving us confidence going forward, and to thank our sponsors.” Coach, Ruud Verhagen (NED) said: “There’s not a lot more for me to say now apart from praising the team on the amazing job they have done out here this week. “They have worked superbly on every stage, and today was no different controlling the race and staying alert in the closing stages when attacks were going off the front. At the end Amy launched the sprint for Kirsten who was untouchable once again. All four stages, top two overall and two other jerseys in just incredible.”
Ufficio Stampa Team Giant Shimano