Boonen to lead Team Quick Step in Qatar

Tom Boonen departed with his Team Quick Step mates on Wednesday from Paris for Qatar, where they will take part in the Tour of Qatar, a brief stage race in the Arab country. The race will start in Doha on Sunday, January 27 with a six-kilometer team time trial and finish on Friday, February 1 after six stages over 710 km.

After the victories of the past two years, the 2008 edition will be the ideal testing grounds for Boonen and his team as they prepare for the season's next big events.

Team Quick Step for Qatar: Tom Boonen, Wilfried Cretsckens, Steven De Jongh, Kevin Hulsmans, Matteo Tosatto, Jurgen Van De Walle, Wouter Weylandt, Maarten Wynants under D.S.Wilfried Peeters