1997 Results
Brief:In pouring rain, the GP Zwevegem was shortened by 2 laps. Bart Heirewegh attacked in the last kms and left his breakaway companions standing in their places. Geert Omloop, Andy De Smet, Brian Dalgaard, Koen Deschuytter and Jurgen De Buysschere - the 5 other riders in the 6 rider breakaway were shattered by the former Cyclo Cross star's withering attack.At the halfway mark in the race, a trio (Deschuytter, De Smet, Dalgaard) decided to win the race alone and gained a 2 minute gap on the field. It was the work of Wim Omloop and Michel Vanhaecke which reduced the lead and the attack came to nothing. This group formed again with 3 other riders and they broke the peloton. In the finale Heirewegh, won his third race of the season and said later: "Geert Omloop did a lot of work in the end. Deschuytter tried to win the race but was run down. Teammate Andy de Smet also worked hard. He controlled the business end perfectly. I have good form now. In May I was flying but since then it has not been so easy to find good legs." Zvevegem, 136 kms:1. Bart Heirewegh (Bel) Ipso 3.24.00 (40.00) 2. Geert Omloop (Bel) Spar-RDM 3. Andy De Smet (Bel) Ipso 4. Brian Dalgaard (Den) Spar-RDM 5. Koen Deschuytter (Bel) Collstrop 6. Jurgen De Buysschere (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 7. Hendrik Van Dyck (Bel) TVM 1.05 8. Jean-Pierre Heynderickx (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 1.15 9. Oleg Pankov (Ukr) Ipso 10. Matthew Gilmore (Bel) Spar-RDM 11. Pavel Khamidouline (Rus) elite 12. Peter Verbeken (Bel) Ipso 13. Michel Vanhaecke (Bel) Ipso 14. Koen Beeckman (Bel) Ipso 15. Peter Spaenhoven (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 16. Casper Van der Meer (Ned) elite 17. Pedro Rubrecht (Bel) elite 18. Michel Cornelisse (Ned) Spar-RDM 19. Sammy Vercruysse (Bel) elite 20. Kurt Sobrie (Bel) elite 21. Rik Van Slycke (Bel) Spar-RDM 22. Rino Deraedt (Bel) Tonissteiner 23. Wim Omloop (Bel) Spar-RDM 24. Lorenzo Lapage (Bel) Collstrop 25. Hans Redant (Bel) Ipso 26. Vadim Volar (Ukr) Ipso Started: 28 |