Katusha rider Alexander Kristoff battled a sand storm to win the second stage of the Tour of Qatar yesterday and claim the race leader’s gold jersey.

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The 27-year-old from Oslo edged a bunch sprint, after a high-tempo stage, at 187.5km the longest of the race, from Al Wakra to Al Khor Corniche.

After holding off Italian Andrea Guardini of Astana and BMC rider Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium, he said: “It was really tough with the wind and there was practically a sand storm.

“Sand was going in my mouth, everywhere and it was one of the most difficult days I’ve ever had.” 

The victory for Kristoff, who won two stages on last year’s Tour de France, gave him a one second lead over Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick Step), in the overall standings, with Van Avermaet three seconds adrift. 

The peloton were pushed along by a fierce tailwind that saw them cover a distance of 50km longer than Sunday’s stage in almost exactly the same time.

Two casualties of the conditions were 2012 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins and sprint star Marcel Kittel who arrived home 9min 18sec behind the leaders.

Today’s stage features a 10.9km individual time-trial around the Losail Circuit.

Meanwhile, the boss of Tinkoff – Saxo has claimed 2015 could be Alberto Contador’s last in cycling. 

The Spaniard is out of contract with the team at the end of the season and while Oleg Tinkov wants him to re-sign, he said: “If he wants to continue then we’ll be more than happy to have him with our team but I don’t know if he’s decided to continue.

"This might be his last season, I don’t know. It could be.”