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Photo highlights from Europe by Mario Stiehl - Part I
Photographer Mario Stiehl from World of Cycling.com has kindly provided Cyclingnews with photos from various races across Europe during the 2002 road season. Part I includes images from the Dwars door Vlaanderen, Critérium International, GP von Buchholz, Rund um die Hainleite-Erfurt and Luk-Cup Bühl.
57th Dwars door Vlaanderen, Belgium, March 27, 2002
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Cookie with last kilometre burst
A breakaway of fourteen riders including a few big names (Museeuw, Planckaert, Eeckhout and Van Petegem) was whittled down to just four (Cooke, Van Petegem, Planckaert and Bodrogi) towards the end. Baden Cooke had good legs, with his second attack proving successful. He rode away from the others with a kilometre to go to take his biggest career win in his third year as a pro.
- Johan Museeuw (Domo-Farm Frites) leads the break of fourteen, followed by eventual winner Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com)
- The final break headed by Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Adecco)
- The start was held in perfect spring weather, with very little wind, bright blue skies and 11 degree temperatures
- Andrei Tchmil (Lotto-Adecco) didn't have the legs today to make the final break of 14
- Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Adecco) was in the initial break of 14, but another four riders broke away shortly thereafter
- Cedric Vasseur (Cofidis) sits in the main field of riders as the break went up the road
71st Critérium International, France, March 30-31, 2002
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Armstrong in ominous form
On a cool, sunny Easter morning in the French Ardennes, David Moncoutié (Cofidis) won the second stage of the Criterium International from Les Mazures - Montherme on a super-hilly parcours, just ahead of Kelme man Aitor Gonzalez, who made the key attack on the final uphill to the finish in Montherme. Nine seconds behind, Moncoutié’s Cofidis teammate Inigo Cuesta beat a small group of riders containing Lance Armstrong (USPS), Mario Aerts and Alexander Shefer (Alessio), with the peloton finishing 35 seconds behind. With Moncoutié just ahead of Armstrong on GC, the Frenchman needed a solid time trial to hold off the onslaught of the four-time Tour de France champ for the final victory on the Easter Sunday afternoon.
- Lance Armstrong (US Postal Service) leads the second group of eight in pursuit of Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) and David Moncoutie (Cofidis) on the second stage
- Lance Armstrong (US Postal Service) looking particularly focused before the start of stage 2
- Lance Armstrong (US Postal Service) posts a great time in the final time trial, placing 3rd and taking 2nd overall
- Alexandre Botcharov (Ag2R Prevoyance) leads the main field of riders on stage 2
- Floyd Landis (US Postal Service) blocks the bunch for his teammate Lance Armstrong
14th GP von Buchholz, Germany, May 8, 2002
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The GP Buchholz is a hotly-contested race, especially for the German, Dutch and Danish Division II and III squads. Riders from Phonak, Saeco, Fakta and Gerolsteiner participated, with Björn Schröder the eventual winner from Team Techem Berlin.
- Al Thijs (Team Bankgiro Lotterij) stamps on the pedals
- Rolf Aldag (Telekom) appears to be suffering quite badly
- The German boys hang out for a chat before the race starts
- Michael Rich (Team Gerolsteiner) leans into the corner
- Christian Wegmann (Team Saeco Longoni Sport) finishes second to Björn Schröder (Team Techem Berlin)
Rund um die Hainleite-Erfurt, Germany, May 20, 2002
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The Rund um die Hainleite-Erfurt is a UCI 1.3 race, also held in Germany. With a mix of Division I, II and III teams, the race provides some interesting racing. iTeamnova.com showed their colours early on from Alan Iacuone and Jamie Drew, but the duo of Sasa Sviben (Team Nürnberger Versicherung) and Lennie Kristensen (EDS-fakta) broke away towards the end and stayed away.
- Jamie Drew (iTeamnova.com) not on his best form
- Alan Iacuone (iTeamnova.com) on the comeback path, placing fifth
- Sasa Sviben (Team Nürnberger Versicherung) leads Lennie Kristensen (EDS-fakta) in the decisive break of the day
- The podium - Sasa Sviben (Team Nürnberger Versicherung, M), Lennie Kristensen (EDS-fakta, L) and Raffaele Ferrara (Alessio, R) didn't have the legs today to make the final break of 14
- The race director likes his Audi
Luk-Cup Bühl, Germany, October 3, 2002
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Although categorised as a UCI 1.3, a number of big-name riders use this race as a means of guaging their form before contesting the World Road Championships just one week later. Only 36 riders finished, with a final break of four riders going clear towards the end, containing eventual winner Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner).
- Kurt-Asle Arvesen (EDS-fakta) finished fourth
- Daniel Atienza Urendez (Cofidis) a lean, mean, climbin' machine
- Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) poses with the Devil
- Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) isn't scared of El Diablo, or anyone else for that matter - 'Tintin' won
- The Devil with two of the Team Coast boys
- The Devil looking particularly jolly with Gilberto Simoni (Saeco)
- The Devil with Jens Voight (Credit Agricole)
- Gianni Faresin (Gerolsteiner) looks like a man possessed
- Gianni Faresin (Gerolsteiner) leads the main field
- Dario Frigo (Tacconi Sport-Emmegi) giving it his all
- The Gerolsteiner boys look like they're here for business
- Matthias Kessler (Team Telekom) grits his teeth
- Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) found the parcours not to his liking today
- Masahiko Mifune (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, L) didn't enjoy himself either
- The peloton all together in the beginning
- The peloton get serious
- Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) was clearly the strongman today, and deserved the win
- The start was a mellow affair
