1997 Results
Brief:Jo Planckaert has struck form at the right time. In Meulebeke, then Leuven and then in the GP Briek Schotte, he was the fastest of the four breakaway riders. After only 30 kms there was an early attack with 16 riders, including Planckaert going clear. The peloton had fought hard for 2 hours to keep the gap between 25 and 35 seconds. With the finish approaching, the first to try his hand was Frank Corvers, then the pair of De Buyst and Hoj attacked. With 30 kms left to ride Eric De Clercq attacked. Planckaert and Hans De Clercq sat his wheel with De Buyst hanging on too. The four riders held the gap until the end. Planckaert won the 4-up sprint. Eric De Clerq was second.The winner said afterwards: "The last week showed me what I can do. On Sunday in Isbergues I hope to win the flowers again. The World Championships? Sergeant can count on me." In the sprint for 5th, Nico Eeckhout was the fastest. Desselgem, 155 kms:1. Jo Planckaert (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 3.41.00 (42.081) 2. Eric De Clercq (Bel) Collstrop 3. Franky De Buyst (Bel) Tonissteiner 4. Hans De Clercq (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 5. Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 0.27 6. Franky Van Haesebroucke (Bel) Ipso 7. Frank Hoj (Den) Palmans-Ideal 8. Tony Bracke (Bel) Collstrop 9. Nico Renders (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 10. Johan Verstrepen (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 11. Steven De Neef (Bel) Collstrop 12. Dany Baeyens (Bel) Collstrop 13. Geoffrey Demeyere (Bel) Elite 14. Frank Corvers (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 15. Frederik Penne (Bel) Collstrop * 16. Johan De Geyter (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 7.50 17. Fabien De Waele (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 18. Danny Daelman (Bel) Collstrop 19. Wouter Demeulemeester (Bel) Elite 20. Tom Desmet (Bel) Collstrop 21. Ludovic Capelle (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 22. Johan Capiot (Bel) TVM 23. Peter Spaenhoven (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 24. Hans De Meester (Bel) Tonissteiner 25. Marc Vanassche (Bel) Elite 26. Gert Vanderaerden (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 27. Christoph Roodhooft (Bel) Elite 28. Marc Janssens (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 29. Gianni Rivera (Bel) Palmans-Ideal * 30. Marc Chanoine (Bel) Collstrop Started: 84* stagiaire |