Belgian cyclist Tom Boonen won the first stage of the Tour of Qatar on Sunday, sprinting home ahead of Britain’s Adam Blythe and Peter Sagan of Slovakia.

Best of the Australians was Mark Renshaw of Rabobank in sixth place.

Victory in the bunch sprint after 133km was a sign that the veteran is starting to get some of his old form back after an injury-wrecked 2011 when he chalked up only two wins – one coming at the Tour of Qatar 12 months ago.

Boonen won a stage last week at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina and his team-mates were left in no doubt that he is firmly back in the saddle.

“I am confident that I can still compete with all top sprinters out there even though these days that is not my priority,” the Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider said.

“Last year at this time I was struggling with pains in my left leg which stemmed from the knee operation I had.

“That dragged on for months and then I broke bones in my hand in the Tour of Spain.

“Today all that is behind me and at last I am free from injuries.”

The former world champion, however, said he had been surprised at winning on Sunday having spent three days travelling to the Gulf from South America.

“There was also jet lag to get over and at the start of the race I didn’t feel great. But gradually it all came together for me,” he said.

Monday’s second stage is a team time-trial of 11.3km on the motor racing circuit of Losail.