Tom Boonen of Belgium won his fourth Tour of Qatar title on Friday, having led the race since he won the opening stage last Sunday.

The final stage was won by Arnaud Demare, the under-23 road world champion, while British sprinting star Mark Cavendish’s tour ended on a bad note when he crashed 200 metres from the end of the race.

Cavendish, who won two stages, finished sixth overall while last year’s winner Australia’s Mark Renshaw was third in the final stage and 13th overall – one spot behind compatriot Baden Cooke.

Boonen and his Omega-Pharms Quick Step were careful to protect his lead on the sixth and last stage, 120 kilometres from Sealine Beach Resort into Doha Corniche.

He ended up beating American rider Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Barracuda by 28 seconds overall to add to his tour victories in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

Boonen says, “Whether it is the first stage or last, I feel at ease in Qatar.”

He finished the stage 15th, happy to track Tyler Farrar, who was sixth, and beat the American by 28 seconds overall to add to his tour victories in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

“It is always nice to win here in Doha. Whether it is the first stage or last, I feel at ease in Qatar,” Boonen said.

“We had a good lead going into the final stage and I wanted to ride safe without any mishap.

“I am glad to start the season with a win and now I can look forward to the classics. My team did a great job this week.”

Farrar, riding for Garmin-Barracuda, was followed in the overall by Spanish rider Juan Antonio Flecha of Sky Procycling, 33 seconds back, then Boonen’s team-mate Gert Steegmans, 34 seconds down.