Blythe can't shrug off bad luck

The 22-year-old Blythe was initially the only one to follow quadruple time-trial world champion Fabian Cancellara when he attacked the front group within the final 10km of the fourth stage.

Blythe entered the 147.5km road race 10th overall and 19 seconds behind race leader Tom Boonen after previously finishing second in the opener.

The BMC fast-man was waiting and well positioned for the sprint but came in 42sec behind stage winner Boonen with Tom Veelers (Project 1T4i) second and Cancellara (RadioShack – Nissan) third.

“At eight kilometres to go I thought he’d (Cancellara) have a go with the cross wind,” Blythe said.

“He’s pretty much the strongest guy there so I thought if I stay near him and he goes I’ll be alright.

“I managed to stay on his wheel until the other guys came across and just sort of got my breath back and then hit something.
 
“Unluckily I put my hand up with 3.2 to go and not 3K. If I was 3K I’d have been on the same time and third on general but that’s a mistake on my part. I’m pretty disappointed.”

BMC Racing recruit Blythe is now 1:14 behind Boonen, who celebrated his second stage win of the tour and extended his overall lead after the comfortable victory yesterday.

Blythe has two more opportunities to take line honours at the tour, which continues tomorrow with a 160km road race from the Camel Race Track to Al Khor Corniche.

Twitter: @SophieSmith86

Sophie Smith is in Qatar as a guest of Amaury Sport Organisation