Mario Cipollini is back at the front of the pack after scoring an importantvictory in Thursday’s fourth stage of the Tour of Qatar, his first sincelast year’s Tour de Georgia.

The 37-year-old Tuscan held off 24-year-old Tom Boonen (Quick Step)in a significant objective for the Lion King, who edged near retirementbut joined the Liquigas-Bianchi team with new motivation to come back tothe elite levels of sprinting after two lackluster seasons.

“Every win encourages you very much and this one in a particular waysince it comes after months full of sacrifices and a very tough training,”Cipollini said. “I believe this is the first and partial answer to theunderstandable doubts surrounding a ‘little old man’ like me at the beginningof his 17th season as a pro.”

Thomas Voeckler and friend.

Photo: Graham Watson

Cipollini lost a stage earlier this week to Boonen by a hair, but hadenough in the blustery 169km stage from Al Zubarah to Doha Landmark tosnag his 188th victory of his career.

Michaelsen had some troubles Thursday, but his lead remained safe

Photo: Graham Watson

Heavy crosswinds blasted the peloton for the second straight day, promptingan early selection. Quick Step and Team CSC whittled the lead group downto 55 riders, with race leader Lars Michaelsen safely protected by hisTeam CSC teammates.

At the day’s first sprint at 24km, Fred Rodriguez and Davitamon-Lottoteammate Robbie McEwen were already 1:20 adrift. A handful of riders, includingAndy Flickinger (Ag2r) and Thomas Voeckler (BTL), tried in vain to slipaway from the sprinters.

In the end, the Liquigas-Bianchi train got a chance to stretch its legsbut Boonen snuck in behind Cipollini’s set-up man, forcing Il Cipolla tocome around the young Belgian to score the win.

“Loda and Andriotto have been performing perfectly until the last kilometer.Then it was Backstedt’s and Zanotti’s turn, extraordinary,” Cipollini surmised.“Boonen moved from the wheel of one of his teammates to Zanotti’s and Ihave found myself behind the Belgian -- the ideal condition for a remountingbunch sprint. This win rewards the whole team. We can aim at great resultswith such a solid group.”

Michaelsen easily held the lead going into Friday’s 153km finale fromthe Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche.

Tour of Qatar, Stage 4, Al Zubarah to Doha Landmark, 169km
1. Mario Cipollini (Ita), Liquigas-Bianchi 3 hours, 31 minutes, 37seconds
2. Tom Boonen (Bel), Quick Step
3. Aart Vierhouten (Ned), Davitamon-Lotto
4.Björn Schröder (Ger), Wie
5. Roberto Hunter (RSA), Phonak – all same timeFULLRESULTS