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Team Sky put in a strong performance on the stage two team trial at the Tour of Qatar to clock third fastest time.
The squad crossed the line with a time of 12 minutes and 45 seconds with Mark Cavendish recovering well from his early-race illness to lead the squad home.
The eight-man squad put in a strong performance out on the road with six still in attendance at the finish outside the Lusail motor racing circuit. That ensured Davide Appollonio remained inside the top 10 in seventh, 10 seconds back.
On the day Garmin-Barracuda confirmed their credentials against the clock with victory in a time seven seconds quicker over the 11.3-kilometre course.
A last-ditch effort from overnight leader Tom Boonen and his Omega Pharma – Quickstep squad saw the Belgian cling on to the lead by the skin of his teeth after a time seven seconds slower, bumping Team Sky down to third in the process.
The team’s third place came under close threat from the Russian Katusha squad who finished only a few tenths down, while Liquigas completed the top five in the Middle East.
Strong result
On the way back to the team hotel Sports Director Steven de Jongh was pleased to see the team performing well but believed there were a couple more seconds to be had.
He said: "It was a fast course which is good and I think we had a really strong finish. If you look at the split times and the finishing times we were looking strong. But we made some mistakes at the beginning and weren’t quite fast enough. But all in all it was a good result.
"We beat a lot of good teams but well done to Garmin today. It was also good to see Mark back after the illness he has had. He finished with the team and we also have Appo still in the top 10.
"Tomorrow should be another sprint finish and we will look to be up there again."
Desert drag race
The ‘TTT’ provided a unique challenge with all teams taking to the start on regular road bikes and helmets for logistical reasons.
Team Sky were first to arrive at the course in what was the first chance of the season to see which squads were the most dialled in.
There were a number of roundabouts to negotiate on the course made up largely of circuit access roads with wind less of a factor than previously expected.
Garmin-Barracuda were the first of the big squads to set a time and it proved too good to beat as one by one their rivals fell short. Despite victory Tyler Farrar narrowly missed out on being promoted to the gold leader’s jersey.
RadioShack-Nissan had to be content with a time 14 seconds back (6th), while rouleur-heavy GreenEDGE were two seconds further adrift in seventh.
Attention now turns to stage three and another likely sprint finish where the team will look to take victory.
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