Team Slipstream/Chipotle presented by H3O started the season off with a bang and a strong second place finish in the opening 6-kilometer team time trial at the Tour of Qatar. Slipstream rider Chris Sutton also secured the Best Young Rider jersey.

Making good on David Millar’s promise for a top three finish in this season opener, Slipstream actually held the virtual lead with a time of 6 minutes 37 seconds until Tom Boonen’s Quick Step boys crossed the line. Quick Step bettered Slipstream’s final time by just two seconds. Since Quick Step doesn’t have any riders under 25, the Best Young Rider jersey went to Sutton who crossed the line first.

Director Sportif Johnny Weltz said the riders perfectly executed their game plan for the team time trial. “We started out moderately with Backstedt setting the pace, and then continued to accelerate. All the guys worked together and we had a perfect race.” The team averaged about 55 kilometers an hour.

Tomorrow’s 137.5 kilometer stage from Al Zubarah to the Doha Golf Club includes an intermediate sprint with time bonuses. Weltz said the team would look to put pressure on Quick Step for the sprints. “We’ve been talking a lot the last few weeks and now we just want to perform,” said Weltz.