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Past Winners
Brief:At around the half way mark, an original breakaway of 15 riders split and only 7 remained: Jans Koerts, Marc Streel, Johan Verstrepen, Michel Vanhaecke, Erwin Thijs, Koen Beeckman and Stephane Hennebert. With around 50 kms to go, Jans Koerts attacked but the Dutchman was countered by Marc Streel. Koen Beeckman watched closely and with Johan Verstrepen went away and quickly built up a sizable gap. By the finish they had almost 3 minutes on Marc Streel who had attempted to bridge the gap but was joined by 3 other riders Koerts, Vanhaecke and Thijs.Beeckman said: "We worked well together over this difficult circuit. 20 laps of around 7 kms with 3 hills and a strong wind made the race hard. But Johan and I were in good condition. For me this has been a good season to date. But I have had harder races than this. In the Franco-Belge I came 20th. This is my first victory. I will now return to my role of helping the top riders in the team. But I dream that I will get a chance to race in one of the big teams." Thimister, 144 kms:1. Koen Beeckman (Bel) Ipso 3.55.00 (36,766 km/h) 2. Johan Verstrepen (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 3. Marc Streel (Bel) Casino 2.55 4. Jans Koerts (Ned) Rabobank 5. Michel Van Haecke (Bel) Ipso 6. Erwin Thijs (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 7. Bart Heirewegh (Bel) Ipso 8.30 8. Stephane Timmerman (Bel) Elite 9. Andy De Smet (Bel) Ipso 8.50 10. Ludovic Capelle (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 11. Fabien De Waele (Bel) Lotto 12. Koen Deschuytter (Bel) Collstrop 13. Christophe Detilloux (Bel) Lotto 14. Jurgen De Buysschere (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 15. Patrice Hemroulle (Bel) Elite 16. Scott Guyton (NZ) Ipso 17. Stephane Hennebert (Bel) Ipso 18. Davy Dubbeldam (Ned) Rabobank 19. Brian Dalgaard (Den) Spar 20. Inaki Barrenchea (Spa) Tonissteiner-Colnago 46 starters |