BriefWim Omloop beat the brigade from Vlaanderen 2002 to win the GP Vilvoorde. The race started a little late after the police went on strike. Once underway, it was Vlaanderen 2002 who took the initiative and led the race. They were in the majority in the top group. But that was without taking into account Wim Omloop, who with 3 kms to go attacked. Neither Jarno Vanfrachem, nor Tom Stremersch could follow him."I profitted today from the work of my two breakaway companions." said Omloop. "I rode with a little in reserve. But it is great that I was finally the one to win. Last season was a rotten year. I was almost always sick. I was not able to perform. Luckily, Gaspard Van Peteghem put me in his Spar team. This first win for the team is also my thankyou for my team leader. It was a funny race. In the final sections I had to deal with two of them. With the peloton breathing down our neck I had to take my chance. It was successful. But tomorrow in Belsele-Puivelde I have a very important race on my menu. Tomorrow I will ride in the services of my team" The race came alive at the 25 kms mark when four riders attacked: Tom Stremersch, Geert Omloop, Bert Roesems and Davy Delme. They reached a lead of 4 minutes at one stage. They were caught with 30 kms to go. But then Stremersch attacked. That led to the final flight with Vanfrachem and Wim Omloop. Vilvoorde, 163 kms:1. Wim Omloop (Bel) Spar-RDM 3.35.03 (42.600) 2. Jarno Vanfrachem (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 0.30 3. Tom Stremersch (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 0.30 4. Bart Heirewegh (Bel) Ipso 0.53 5. Jean-Pierre Heynderickx (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 6. Wim Vansevenant (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 7. Jan Hordijk (Ned) Tonissteiner 8. Marc Streel (Bel) Casino 9. Karel Vereecke (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 10. Kurt Van Lancker (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 11. Michel Cerneus (Ned) 12. Etienne De Wilde (Bel) Spar-RDM 13. Leif Hoste (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 14. Eddy Torrekens (Bel) Tonissteiner 15. Bart Everaert (Bel) 16. Pascal Lievens (Bel) 17. Stive Vermaut (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 18. Jan Poppe (Bel) 19. Patrice Hemroulle (Bel) 20. Geert Omloop (Bel) Spar-RDM 21. Werner Vandromme (Bel) Spar-RDM 22. Jan D'Hooghe (Bel) 23. Hans De Meester (Bel) Tonissteiner 24. Paul Herijgers (Bel) Tonissteiner 25. Pieter Vries (Ned) TVM-Farm Frites 26. Rik Van Slijcke (Bel) Spar-RDM 27. Sven Dury (Bel) 28. Patrick Deweerd (Bel) 29. Davy Delme (Bel) Tonissteiner 30. Kristof Trouve (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 s.t. Started 53 |