Spanish rider Jose Joaquin Rojas won the first stage of the Tour of Qatar, a 136 kilometres ride from Dukhan to Sealine Beach on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Movistar rider — Spanish road race champion in 2011 — edged out Belgian veteran Tom Boonen and Arnaud Demare of France in a sprint finish.
Rojas leads Boonen by four seconds in the overall standings, after bonifications, with Demare a further two seconds adrift.
Monday’s second stage is the 1945km ride from Al Wakra to the Al Khor Corniche. – Agence France-Presse
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