Tour of Qatar 2010: First Look at Top Sprinters for Upcoming Cycling Season

The 9th edition of the Tour of Qatar kicks off from Saudi Arabia beginning on Sunday, and it will offer cycling fans a chance to see some of the world's fastest sprinters ahead of the bigger races of the 2010 season. A solid lineup of riders are ready to contest the event, and it should be dramatic racing from start to finish.

Defending champion Tom Boonen will lead the Quick Step team in Qatar, as he looks for his fourth overall title in the early season stage race. Boonen was able to win the overall despite a solid lineup last year, as he depended on a strong team time trial to set the stage for his win. He'll look for at least one stage win in the race, as well as the overall title again this year.

With leader Thor Hushovd under the weather, the Cervelo TestTeam will lean on 2009 Milan-San Remo runner up Heinrich Haussler for stage wins, and the German/Australian should be up to the task. Haussler was consistent throughout the season last year, and he'll hope to start his season off right with a stage win or two in Qatar.

HTC-Columbia won't have either of their ace sprinters Mark Cavendish or Andre Greipel in Qatar, but that doesn't mean they can't contend for stage wins. Bernhard Eisel, a fast finisher in his own right, will likely be the protected rider, and the veteran should be able to at least make the podium on one or more of the stages. His teammate Matty Goss will support his efforts, and don't be too surprised if Goss gets a chance to ride for his own result in a stage or two.

Saxo Bank brings three sprinters to Qatar, with Matti Breschel, Baden Cooke and JJ Haedo all making the trip to the Middle East. Cooke is on good form after a solid performance at the Tour Down Under, and he'll be keen to notch a win for his new team. Meanwhile, Fabian Cancellara and Breschel will debut at Qatar, building their fitness for an assault on the cobbled classics in several weeks time.

Omega Pharma, now without Cadel Evans, will depend on Philippe Gilbert for results throughout the season, starting in Qatar. Gilbert is a fast finisher but not a pure sprinter, so he may have to try for a breakaway win instead of battling in the bunch kicks. Still, he can accelerate with the best and in perfect conditions could win in a sprint finish.

Team Sky has a good lineup at the event, even if they don't have a pure sprinter in their midst. Expect them to vie for the team time trial victory, which could put one of their riders in contention for the overall win. Edvald Boasson Hagen is a time trial machine, and he can finish fast when the conditions are right. Expect someone from Team Sky on the final overall podium behind an excellent performance in the team time trial.

The Garmin-Transitions team will bring super sprinter Tyler Farrar to Qatar, hoping that America's best sprinter will have the early season form for a stage win or two. On paper, Farrar is among the top three sprinters registered for Qatar, and he should have no problem notching multiple podium appearances. If he has any sort of form at this early stage in the year, he is a strong candidate for a stage win and the overall title as he embarks on what should be a huge 2010 season.

Milram team leader Gerald Ciolek had a tough 2009, and he needs a big 2010 to bounce back from the adversity of last season. Ciolek will be the sprint leader for Milram throughout the year, and a podium appearance in Qatar against such a quality field would be a welcome happening for Ciolek as he tries to establish himself as an elite sprinter in the coming year for his German team.

The Liquigas team, stacked with GC talent, also features some solid sprinters, and they'll be bringing the tandem of Daniele Benatti and Francesco Chicchi to Qatar hoping for some early season success. Like Gerald Ciolek, Benatti had a poor 2009, and he needs wins early and often if he is to rejoin the ranks of the world's best sprinters. Chicchi meanwhile is a domestique for Benatti, but with a bit of luck he could stumble to a stage win should Benatti falter.

Like in previous years, the Tour of Qatar will feature some of the world's fastest finishers battling against each other as an early season indicator of who will be major power players later in the year. Barring crashes, the race should be an exciting one that runs right down to the wire.