1997 Results
Brief:Eric De Clercq won his first race of the season when he stormed to a solo win in the Zomergem - Adinkerke Kermesse over 165.5 kms. The rider from East Flanders soloed to the finish after attacking the top group of 3 riders. Koerts and Streel who were his fellow breakaway companions could not match his final burst.De Clercq explaining his strategy after the race said: " If I had have waited for the sprint then I would have had no chance against the fast Koerts. I knew I had to attack and try to win alone. On the last bridge I tried my hand." The early part of the race was highlighted by Jurgen Debuysschere showing the jersey of Home Market-Charleroi. The Neo-Pro was away on his own for more than 100 kms. His maximum lead grew to 9 minutes and he still had a minute advantage as he rode onto the finishing circuit at Adinkerke. With 15 kms to go, Van Dijck, De Clercq, Fofonov, Pillon, Hoj, Streel and Koerts got serious. Streel then attacked hard and it was only Eric De Clercq and Jans Koerts who could follow him. Adinkerke, 165.5 kms:1. Eric De Clercq (Bel) Collstrop 4.12.00 (39.405) 2. Jans Koerts (Ned) Rabobank 0.08 3. Marc Streel (Bel) Casino 4. Tony Bracke (Bel) Collstrop 1.14 5. Sebastien Demarbaix (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 1.19 6. Stephane Cueff (Fra) Mutuelle de Seine-et-Marne 7. Jurgen De Buysschere (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 1.26 8. Hendrik Van Dyck (Bel) TVM 9. Dimitri Fofonov (Kaz) Collstrop (stagiare) 10. Laurent Pillon (Fra) Mutuelle de Seine-et-Marne 11. Jurgen Vermeersch (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 2.03 12. Marc Vanassche (Bel) Elite 13. Jean-Pierre Heynderickx (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 14. Werner Vandromme (Bel) Spar 15. Dany Baeyens (Bel) Collstrop 16. Peter Spaenhoven (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 17. Chris Pollin (Bel) Elite 18. Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 19. Christ Hendryckx (Bel) Collstrop 20. Kees Hopmans (Ned) Tonissteiner 2.13 21. Inaki Barrenchea (Spa) Tonissteiner 2.15 22. Philip Vereecke (Bel) Collstrop 7.18 23. Ronny Assez (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 7.18 Started: 55 |