Good news for Katusha Team: at “Trofeo Palma”, the first European race the Russian team took part and the first competition of “Challenge Mallorca”, a podium came thanks to Alexander Porsev.
The Russian rider did a great job at the final, bunch sprint at the end of the race: Andrew Fenn (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) was the fastest, while Andre Schulze (NetApp) completes the podium. Katusha Team was protagonist since the beginning of the race despite a very cold climate which characterized the whole course: Pavel Brutt was in the daily breakaway inside the 15-men group.
After 40 kms, the chasing group was able to neutralize the breakaway. In the bunch sprint all the team showed a good attitude, as witnessed by the third position: it has to be noticed the 8th place by Alexey Tsatevich too, at his first race as a pro.


– Today the team was great. First Brutt was in escape, then other riders helped me a lot, so I did not spent much energy till the finish. In the final, I received big help from Xavier Florencio and Alexey Tsatevich and I could get a good position for the sprint. Maybe, I started a little bit later, but anyway, its my first podium in my first race, – said Alexander Porsev.
– Our team has worked together pretty well. First Pavel Brutt was with a group, then together with other teams, Katusha held the field together. The bunch sprint was very well prepared and with the 3rd place of Alexander Porsev we are all very happy and satisfied for the beginning. At this early point of the season we are already very far, – said sports director Torsten Schmidt.

Tour of Qatar: Kristoff 7th in the first stage (Photo)

Today it took place the first stage of “Tour of Qatar”, from Barzan Towers to Doha Golf Club, 142.5-km long Alexander Kristoff was the best performer for Katusha Team: he was able to take the 7th position
at the bunch sprint which decided the stage, characterized in the last part by a strong tailwind. Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) won the stage, defeating Adam Blythe (BMC) and Peter Sagan
(Liquigas-Cannondale).