Rabobank rider Lars Boom opened his 2011 road racing season in top form Sunday, winning the prologue stage at the Tour of Qatar stage race. The 25-year-old Dutchman, who won his 11th national cyclocross championship in January, scorched the short, technical course, beating Swiss Time Trial World Champion Fabian Cancellara by 4 seconds.

Boom’s explosive cyclocross skills served him well in his first international road race of the 2011 season. All riders raced road bikes, rather than time trial bikes, on the technical 2.5km course, and Boom’s Giant TCR Advanced SL team bike was the right tool for the job. Facing tight corners, rough surfaces and strong winds, Boom rocketed home with a time of 3:07.

“Of course you have to take risks in the prologue,” Boom told Cyclingnews.com. “You gain seconds that way.”

The next five stages of the race, which concludes Friday, will offer plenty of opportunities for the sprinters. Rabobank will attempt to defend Boom’s lead, starting with Monday’s 145km stage from Dukhan to Al Khor Corniche.