World champion Tom Boonen (Quick Step) won the opening 131km stage of the Tour of Qatar between Doha and Al Khor Corniche on Monday.

The 25-year-old Belgian proved too strong for German veteran Eric Zabel and Robert Hunter of South Africa in a sprint finish.

Top 10 results
Stage
1. Tom Boonen (B) Quick Step, 131km in 2:56:34
2. Erik Zabel (G), same time
3. Robert Hunter (RSA), s.t.
4. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), s.t.
5. Fabrizio Guidi (I), s.t.,
6. Aurelien Clerc (Swi), s.t.
7. Nick Ingels (B,) s.t.
8. Sebastien Lang (G,) s.t.
9. Aart Vierhouten (Ned), s.t.
10. Steven de Jongh (Ned), s.t.

Overall (after one stage)
1. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step, 2:56:24
2. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, at 0:04
3. Aurelien Clerc (Swi), Phonak, at 0:05
4. Robert Hunter (RSA), Phonak, at 0:06
5. Steven De Jongh (Nl), Quick Step, at 0:07
6. Nicolas Jalabert (F), Phonak, at 0:09
7. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, at 0:10
8. Fabrizio Guidi (I), Phonak, at 0:10
9. Nick Ingels (B), Davitamon-Lotto, at 0:10
10. Sebastian Lang (G), Gerolsteiner, at 0:10

Complete results