De Jongh starts in gold

Quick Step put defending champion and team leader Tom Boonen in a good position to retain his title with the opening win - the first time in six years that the Tour of Qatar has started with a TTT.

Quick Step's time through the 6-kilometre Corniche de Doha was 6'33, five seconds faster than the Alessandro Petacchi-led Milram squad in second and seven seconds faster than Liquigas in third.

"The goal for me wasn't to be first of the team on the finish line," De Jongh said after leading Quick Step to the line. "We really wanted Davide Vigano to lead the team and claim the first golden jersey, Davide's father passed away a few weeks ago."

"Unfortunately Davide was dropped behind in the last kilometre," he said. "It's good to win this team time trial."

"We really want to capture all the stages of this Tour of Qatar. Last year, we failed to do so, only winning 4 out of 5. This year we want to get them all, especially thanks to Tom Boonen."

Monday's second stage travels between Al Wakra and the Qatar Olympic Committee.