1997 Results
Brief:It was the first race for the newly crowned World Madison Champion Etienne De Wilde since his Bordeaux triumph. The peace didn't last long and 3 riders attacked early. The trio of Van Den Bossche, Jan Hordijk and Vanhaecke built up a maximum gap of 2.30. But the move came to nothing. 40 kms from the end, a top group of 10 formed. With 7 kms to go, Andy de Smet attacked and went on to win easily.De Smet said afterwards: "There were 4 of my teammates in the top group of 10 but that was no guarantee that I would win. I knew that I had to attack to make it certain. My move was good. Finally, after all the problems I have had this season. Wetteren, 194 kms:1. Andy De Smet (Bel) Ipso 4.05.00 (47.510) 2. Hans De Meester (Bel) Tonissteiner 0.25 3. Oleg Pankov (Ukr) Ipso 4. Etienne De Wilde (Bel) Spar 5. Koen Beeckman (Bel) Ipso 1.00 6. Kees Hopmans (Ned) Tonissteiner 1.10 7. Bart Heirewegh (Bel) Ipso 8. Jean-Pierre Heynderickx (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 9. Thomas Bockmann (Ger) EC Bayer 10. Jurgen De Winne (Bel) Elite 2.05 11. Davy Delme (Bel) Tonissteiner 12. Michel Willems (Bel) Elite 13. Franky Van Haesebroucke (Bel) Ipso 14. Pascal Elaut (Bel) Elite 15. Thierry De Bilde (Bel) Elite 16. Hans Redant (Bel) Ipso 17. Rik Van Slycke (Bel) Spar 18. Michael Crapoen (Bel) Elite 19. Joseph Biermans (Bel) Elite 20. Benoit Maertens (Bel) Elite 21. Paul Herijgers (Bel) Tonissteiner 22. Patrice Hemroulle (Bel) Elite 23. Jan Hordijk (Ned) Tonissteiner 24. Piet Bocklandt (Bel) Elite 25. Eddy Torrekens (Bel) Tonissteiner 26. Bart Clinckspoor (Bel) Elite 2.05 Started: 43 |