# 2015 Ladies Tour of Qatar

The 2015 Ladies Tour of Qatar was the 7th edition of the Ladies Tour of Qatar. It was organised by the Qatar Cycling Federation with technical and sports-related assistance from Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) under the regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale (category 2.1). It took place from Tuesday 3 February until Friday 6 February 2015 and consisted of 4 stages. 15 teams of 6 riders took part. The event was broadcast live by beIN Sports.

## Teams

15 teams were announced for the race on 27 January 2015.
* Orica–AIS
* Topsport Vlaanderen–Pro-Duo
* Velocio–SRAM
* Wiggle–Honda
* China Chongming–Liv–Champion System
* Alé–Cipollini
* Boels–Dolmans
* Rabo–Liv
* Team Liv–Plantur
* Team Hitec Products
* Bigla Pro Cycling Team
* Optum–KBS
* Australia
* France
* Italy

## Preview

The defending champion and winner of four of the six editions of the race, Kirsten Wild, did not start in the Ladies Tour of Qatar to prepare for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships. 2014 runner-up Amy Pieters took her place as leader of the Team Liv–Plantur squad. Former Tour of Qatar winner Ellen van Dijk and Lizzie Armitstead, who won the 2014 UCI World Cup and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games led the reinforced Boels–Dolmans in the race. The Wiggle–Honda team sent Giorgia Bronzini, the former world champion and Chloe Hosking who had finished twice on the podium. Swedish Emma Johansson and Valentina Scandolara from Italy, winner of the Santos Women's Tour earlier in 2015, were part of the Orica–AIS squad. Shelley Olds led the Bigla Pro Cycling Team. Other important riders were Lucinda Brand and Shara Gillow heading up the Rabo–Liv and Tiffany Cromwell, Lisa Brennauer and Trixi Worrack with Velocio–SRAM.

## Stages
### Stage 1
#### 3 February 2015 – Museum of Islamic Art to Dukhan Beach, 98.5 km (61.2 mi)

With almost no wind, 87 riders started besides the Museum of Islamic Art in the centre of Doha. Without a breakaway, the pack remained bunched all the way to the first intermediate sprint at 28 kilometres (17 miles). After 37.5 kilometres (23.3 miles), Xiu Jie Jiang escaped. Her advantage went from 45 seconds at 42 kilometres (26 miles) to a maximum of 1' 20" at 61 kilometres (38 miles) and made it to the second bonus sprint after 68.5 kilometres (42.6 miles). Later she was caught by the bunch. On the last straight by the beach in Dukhan, Annalisa Cucinotta was led out by her teammates and won the stage ahead of two other Italian riders Giorgia Bronzini and Marta Tagliaferro. As well as wearing the golden leader's jersey, Cucinotta also led the points classification (silver Jersey). Another Italian rider Arianna Fidanza wore the white pearl jersey for the best young rider.
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Annalisa Cucinotta (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | 2h 28' 36" |
| 2 | Giorgia Bronzini (ITA) | Wiggle–Honda | + 0" |
| 3 | Marta Tagliaferro (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | + 0" |
| 4 | Lucinda Brand (NED) | Rabo–Liv | + 0" |
| 5 | Shelley Olds (USA) | Bigla Pro Cycling Team | + 0" |
| 6 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | + 0" |
| 7 | Arianna Fidanza (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | + 0" |
| 8 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 0" |
| 9 | Kelly Druyts (BEL) | Topsport Vlaanderen–Pro-Duo | + 0" |
| 10 | Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) | Velocio–SRAM | + 0" |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Annalisa Cucinotta (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | 2h 28' 26" |
| 2 | Giorgia Bronzini (ITA) | Wiggle–Honda | + 4" |
| 3 | Shelley Olds (USA) | Bigla Pro Cycling Team | + 5" |
| 4 | Marta Tagliaferro (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | + 6" |
| 5 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | + 8" |
| 6 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 8" |
| 7 | Lucinda Brand (NED) | Rabo–Liv | + 10" |
| 8 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | + 10" |
| 9 | Arianna Fidanza (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | + 10" |
| 10 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 10" |

### Stage 2
#### 4 February 2015 – Al Zubarah Fort to Madinat ash Shamal, 112.5 km (69.9 mi)

The 85 remaining riders took off for the longest stage of the event, 112.5 kilometres (69.9 miles) in length, heading north to Madinat ash Shamal. After 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) the bunch broke up into several groups under the due to cross winds. There was a front group of 16 cyclists and build up an advantage of 3 minutes. Six ladies pushed harder and pulled away: Chloe Hosking, Elisa Longo Borghini (both Wiggle–Honda), Emma Johansson (Orica–AIS), Lizzie Armitstead, Ellen van Dijk (both Boels–Dolmans) and Trixi Worrack (Velocio–SRAM). In the final 13.4-kilometre (8.3-mile) lap, despite an early solo attempt from van Dijk, the leaders stayed together. Counting on the presence of her teammate Armitstead, van Dijk gave it another go just after the final kilometre mark. Making the best of her power, she would not be caught and made it victoriously to the line for a second stage success in Qatar, by three seconds ahead of Worrack and Armitstead. Winner of the 2011 Ladies Tour of Qatar, van Dijk captured the overall leader's golden jersey by four seconds over Armitstead. The silver jersey also switched shoulders and went to Worrack while Beatrice Bartelloni claimed the Pearl White jersey for the best young rider.
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Ellen van Dijk (NED) | Boels–Dolmans | 2h 39' 21" |
| 2 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | + 3" |
| 3 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | + 3" |
| 4 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 3" |
| 5 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | + 3" |
| 6 | Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) | Wiggle–Honda | + 9" |
| 7 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 1' 57" |
| 8 | Valentina Scandolara (ITA) | Orica–AIS | + 1' 57" |
| 9 | Amy Pieters (NED) | Team Liv–Plantur | + 1' 57" |
| 10 | Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) | Velocio–SRAM | + 1' 57" |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Ellen van Dijk (NED) | Boels–Dolmans | 5h 07' 47" |
| 2 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | + 4" |
| 3 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | + 7" |
| 4 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 7" |
| 5 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | + 10" |
| 6 | Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) | Wiggle–Honda | + 27" |
| 7 | Marta Tagliaferro (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | + 2' 01" |
| 8 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 2' 07" |
| 9 | Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) | Velocio–SRAM | + 2' 07" |
| 10 | Gracie Elvin (AUS) | Orica–AIS | + 2' 07" |

### Stage 3
#### 5 February 205 – Souq Waqif to Al Khor Corniche, 93.5 km (58.1 mi)

The 85 remaining riders took off for the 93.5-kilometre (58.1-mile) stage heading north. Alison Tetrick and Liu Yanan both tried to ride away from the pack in the opening kilometres but their solo efforts only lasted for a few kilometres. With 25 kilometres (16 miles) to go the main favourites rode away. Fourteen ladies gathered together at the front including seven of the top ten riders in the general classification. In the closing moments of the stage, despite the attempts of several riders, around thirty girls bunched up again with just under three kilometres to go. Helped out by her Boels Dolmans teammates, Lizzie Armitstead won the sprint of the group. With the time bonuses won at intermediate sprints and the finish, Armitstead took over the golden leader's jersey from her teammate Ellen van Dijk by eight seconds, with Chloe Hosking (Wiggle–Honda) a further second back.
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | 2h 27' 45" |
| 2 | Shelley Olds (USA) | Bigla Pro Cycling Team | + 0" |
| 3 | Lucinda Brand (NED) | Rabo–Liv | + 0" |
| 4 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 0" |
| 5 | Pascale Jeuland (FRA) | France (national team) | + 0" |
| 6 | Lauren Kitchen (AUS) | Team Hitec Products | + 0" |
| 7 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 0" |
| 8 | Maria Giulia Confalonieri (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | + 0" |
| 9 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | + 0" |
| 10 | Barbara Guarischi (ITA) | Velocio–SRAM | + 0" |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | 7h 35' 24" |
| 2 | Ellen van Dijk (NED) | Boels–Dolmans | + 8" |
| 3 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 9" |
| 4 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | + 15" |
| 5 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | + 17" |
| 6 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 2' 14" |
| 7 | Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) | Velocio–SRAM | + 2' 15" |
| 8 | Pascale Jeuland (FRA) | France (national team) | + 2' 15" |
| 9 | Amy Pieters (NED) | Team Liv–Plantur | + 2' 15" |
| 10 | Gracie Elvin (AUS) | Orica–AIS | + 2' 23" |

### Stage 4
#### 6 February 2015 – Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche, 101.5 km (63.1 mi)

| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | 2h 24' 15" |
| 2 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 0" |
| 3 | Barbara Guarischi (ITA) | Velocio–SRAM | + 0" |
| 4 | Roxane Fournier (FRA) | France (national team) | + 0" |
| 5 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | + 0" |
| 6 | Lucinda Brand (NED) | Rabo–Liv | + 0" |
| 7 | Kelly Druyts (BEL) | Topsport Vlaanderen–Pro-Duo | + 0" |
| 8 | Elena Cecchini (ITA) | Italy (national team) | + 0" |
| 9 | Pascale Jeuland (FRA) | France (national team) | + 0" |
| 10 | Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) | Velocio–SRAM | + 0" |
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | 9h 59' 25" |
| 2 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 12" |
| 3 | Ellen van Dijk (NED) | Boels–Dolmans | + 22" |
| 4 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | + 29" |
| 5 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | + 30" |
| 6 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 2' 26" |
| 7 | Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) | Velocio–SRAM | + 2' 29" |
| 8 | Pascale Jeuland (FRA) | France (national team) | + 2' 29" |
| 9 | Amy Pieters (NED) | Team Liv–Plantur | + 2' 29" |
| 10 | Gracie Elvin (AUS) | Orica–AIS | + 2' 37" |

## Classification leadership table

| Stage | Winner | General classification | Points classification | Young rider classification | Teams classification |
| 1 | Annalisa Cucinotta | Annalisa Cucinotta | Annalisa Cucinotta | Arianna Fidanza | Alé–Cipollini |
| 2 | Ellen van Dijk | Ellen van Dijk | Trixi Worrack | Beatrice Bartelloni | Wiggle–Honda |
| 3 | Lizzie Armitstead | Lizzie Armitstead | Lizzie Armitstead | Beatrice Bartelloni | Wiggle–Honda |
| 4 | Lizzie Armitstead | Lizzie Armitstead | Lizzie Armitstead | Beatrice Bartelloni | Wiggle–Honda |
| Final | Final | Lizzie Armitstead | Lizzie Armitstead | Beatrice Bartelloni | Wiggle–Honda |

## Final classifications
### General classification

General classification :
| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | 9h 59' 25" |
| 2 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | + 12" |
| 3 | Ellen van Dijk (NED) | Boels–Dolmans | + 22" |
| 4 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | + 29" |
| 5 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | + 30" |
| 6 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | + 2' 26" |
| 7 | Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) | Velocio–SRAM | + 2' 29" |
| 8 | Pascale Jeuland (FRA) | France (national team) | + 2' 29" |
| 9 | Amy Pieters (NED) | Team Liv–Plantur | + 2' 29" |
| 10 | Gracie Elvin (AUS) | Orica–AIS | + 2' 37" |

### Points classification

Points classification :
| | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) | Boels–Dolmans | 50 |
| 2 | Chloe Hosking (AUS) | Wiggle–Honda | 43 |
| 3 | Shelley Olds (USA) | Bigla Pro Cycling Team | 23 |
| 4 | Lucinda Brand (NED) | Rabo–Liv | 21 |
| 5 | Emma Johansson (SWE) | Orica–AIS | 19 |
| 6 | Trixi Worrack (GER) | Velocio–SRAM | 17 |
| 7 | Ellen van Dijk (NED) | Boels–Dolmans | 15 |
| 8 | Annalisa Cucinotta (ITA) | Alé–Cipollini | 15 |
| 9 | Jolien D'Hoore (BEL) | Wiggle–Honda | 14 |
| 10 | Giorgia Bronzini (ITA) | Wiggle–Honda | 14 |

### Teams classification

Team classification :
| | Team | Time |
| 1 | Wiggle–Honda | 30h 02' 00" |
| 2 | Orica–AIS | + 2' 04" |
| 3 | Boels–Dolmans | + 9' 03" |
| 4 | Velocio–SRAM | + 11' 00" |
| 5 | Alé–Cipollini | + 15' 21" |