Tour Down Under Ends, Tour of Qatar Begins

The "Gorilla" dominated the 2008 Tour Down Under from start to finish

The first Pro Tour event of the 2008 year ended yesterday as Andre Greipel wrapped up the overall victory while securing the final stage of the Tour Down Under in a sprint victory. Greipel can take some huge momentum out of the race as he heads to California for a training camp. Whether he'll participate in the Tour of California is unkown at the time. Your final GC for the 10th Tour Down Under:

1 Andre Greipel (Ger) Team High Road

2 Allan Davis (Aus) Unisa - Australia

3 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse D'Epargne
4 Mickael Delage (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux

5 Mickael Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis Le Credit Par Telephone

6 Jose Alberto Benitez Roman (Spa) Saunier Duval-Scott

7 Kjell Carlstrom (Fin) Liquigas

8 Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Caisse D'Epargne

9 Richie Porte (Aus) Unisa - Australia

10 Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Team CSC

Meanwhile, the Tour of Qatar began today with a team time trial, won by last year's winner, team Quick Step. Matteo Tosatto, the old pro who has supported both Boonen and Bettini over the years, edged over the line first in the team time trial to take the first leaders jersey, a nice reward for the gregario. Team Slipstream finished second in the team test against the clock, as the American team tries to secure some early season placings to gain favor for invites to the classics and Grand Tours (they have already been invited to the Giro).

Looking ahead to the other stages, Danilo Napolitano (Lampre), Julien Dean (Slipstream), Anthony Geslin (Bouygues Telecom) and Jackson Stewart (BMC) should battle with Boonen for stage wins until stage five, when the climbers will come to the front. Look for Reubens Bertogliati (Saunier Duvall), Marco Velo (Milram), Christophe Laurent (Credit Agricole), and Nick Nuyens (Cofidis) to contend on the few hills that the course presents. On paper though, like last year, the Qatar route looks custom made for Boonen to dominate.

Qatar has long been an early season confidence builder for Boonen