54th Omloop Het Volk, Cat 1.1

Belgium, February 27, 1999

1998 Results Past Winners Route Complete Starting List As it Unfolded
Gent - Lokeren, 202 kms:
Belgian Frank Vandenbroucke (Cofidis) won the semi-classic Het Volk (still a classic to me!) in Lokeren on Saturday, which marked the beginning of the racing season in Belgium. Vandenbroucke beat compatriat Wilfried Peeters (Mapei-Quick Step) in a two-up sprint. Tom Steels (Mapei-Quick Step), was third and 35 seconds further back.
The weather was cold and it was raining - nothing unusual for this race. Also as usual the race was dominated by Belgian riders, who still see this race as one of the Belgian classics. Two Belgians, Stive Vermaut (Vlaanderen 2002) and Bert Roesems (Tonissteiner), attacked with the Italian rider Christian Moreni (Liquigas) early and stayed away for 135 kms. They were rounded up just 43 kms before the end.
Several attacks then went away without success until Andreï Tchmil put down the hammer 20 kms from Lokeren. This was the decisive move. A group of 9 riders formed - Tchmil, Planckaert and Feys (Lotto-Mobistar), Steels, Museeuw and Peeters (Mapei-Quick Step), Van Petegem and Knaven (TVM-Farm Frites) and Vandenbroucke (Cofidis).
At 11 kms to go, Johan Museeuw, looking good for his comeback from a serious knee injury, attacked off the front. But Frank Vandenbroucke counter-attacked and only Wilfried Peeters was able to stay with him. Wilfried Peeters did not work in the break and he seemed to allow Vandenbroucke to win in the end. At the finale, the leader of Cofidis, Frank Vandenbroucke was successful. The 24-year old now has his 3rd victory of the season, and for the Belgian riders the 47th success from 54 editions of the race.

1. Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) Cofidis 5.12.00 (38.846 km/h) 2. Wilfried Peeters (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 3. Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 0.34 4. Andreï Tchmil (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 5. Jo Planckaert (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 6. Johan Museeuw (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 7. Servais Knaven (Ned) TVM-Farm Frites 8. Peter Van Petegem (Bel) TVM-Farm Frites 9. Wim Feys (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 0.35 10. Chris Peers (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 1.44 11. Peter Farazijn (Bel) Cofidis 12. Tristan Hoffman (Ned) TVM-Farm Frites 13. Steven De Jongh (Ned) TVM-Farm Frites 14. Fabian De Waele (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 15. Hendrick Van Dijck (Bel) TVM-Farm Frites 16. Lars Michaelsen (Den) La Francaise des Jeux 17. Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) Mapei-Quick Step 18. Romans Vainsteins (Lat) Vini Caldirola-Sidermec 19. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Rabobank 20. Frédéric Moncassin (Fra) Crédit Agricole 1.44 21. Mario Aerts (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 22. Bert Dietz (Ger) Nurnberger 23. Rolf Sörensen (Den) Rabobank 24. Arvis Piziks (Lat) Team Home-Jack & Jones 25. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole 26. Leon Van Bon (Ned) Rabobank 27. Daniele Nardello (Ita) 28. Marc Wauters (Bel) Rabobank 29. Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Crédit Agricole 30. Enrico Cassani (Ita) Team Polti 2.55 31. Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 32. Stive Vermaut (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 33. Bert Roesems (Bel) Tonissteiner-Colnago 34. Kurt Van Lancker (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 35. Steve De Wolf (Bel) Cofidis 36. Nicolay Bo Larsen (Den) Team Home-Jack & Jones 37. Cristian Moreni (Ita) Liquigas 38. Jan Schaffrath (Ger) Deutsche Telekom 39. Rolf Aldag (Ger) Deutsche Telekom 40. Geert Van Bondt (Bel) TVM-Farm Frites 41. Axel Merckx (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 42. Zbigniew Spruch (Pol) Lampre-Daikin 4.35 43. Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) Rabobank 5.55 44. Jesper Skibby (Den) Team Home-Jack & Jones 5.55 Started: 193 Finished: 44

Report from the gallery
Tuur Verdonck, a regular correspondent from the Netherlands sent this report from the opening Belgian weekend.
In a thrilling race, Belgian talent Frank Vandenbroucke won the 'Omloop Het Volk', the traditional opening race of the north-European cycling scene.
Vandenbroucke, who had already shown his good form in the south-European stage races, won 'Het Volk' after having beaten fellow Belgian Wilfried Peeters in a sprint. The two broke away just before the last pave section, from a group of nine riders, which consisted of only Belgians, except Dutchman Servais Knaven.
The victory of Vandenbroucke has even more to be praised, as he was struggling on his own between the three powerful blocks of Mapei, Lotto and TVM.
Before Vandenbroucke placed himself in the spotlight, there had been a breakaway of six riders, which was reduced to three riders after some steep hills. This trio, consisting of Belgians Vermaut, Roesems and Italian Moreni, was caught on the top of the Molenberg, another hard Flemish hill. The finale was started by Dane Jesper Skibby, who was with the Dutch TVM team for several years but was now closing his career with the Danish Jack and Jones team. Skibby only got thirty seconds maximum gap.
On the pave section in Laarne, the decisive move was made: Frank Vandenbroucke (Cofidis), Tom Steels, Wilfried Peeters, Johan Museeuw (all Mapei), Jo Planckaert, Andrej Tchmil, Wim Feys (all Lotto), Peter van Petegem and Servais Knaven (both TVM) broke away.
The finale was expected to become a battle between the Mapei-riders, and those of Lotto, with the TVM-duo as two outsiders. Frank Vandenbroucke, who had talked himelf into the role of the favourite, stood alone, after even having been in some serious troubles on one of the hills. Serious breakaways were issued, but none of them succeeded. Until the last one, when Vandenbroucke applied more power than the other riders had. Belgian veteran Peeters (34) reacted, but didn't take over, while the finish was only a few kilometers away. The votes at the Mapei team were favouring sprinter Tom Steels, who really rode an excellent race.
The Mapei-team didn't expect Peeters to be the final killer, but now he had to, as the other riders didn't reached the two at the front of the race, due to Vandenbroucke's super legs. Vandenbroucke, who had watched Peeters' gear, placed himself in a smaller gear, and accelerated so much faster than the Belgian gregario, that Peeters was nevr able to come out of Vandenbroucke's wheel. The sprint for the third place was won by Tom Steels.
The Race as it unfolded
11.30 - 193 riders started the 54th Omloop Het Volk. Kristoffer Johansen and Hans Vogels were both ill. The teams Rabobank, TVM and La Française des Jeux were visited by the UCI doctors in the morning for bloodtesting - no problems resulted.
13.00 - On Oude Kwaremont, there were six leaders (including Stive Vermaut, Bert Roesems and Bart Everaerts). The peloton was at more than 7 minutes.
13.10 - Frank Vandenbroucke seemed to be lagging behind the peloton. At the start he had stated that he had big plans to win this race especially for his friend Nico Mattan, who was forced out of cycling due to heart troubles.
13.30 - Vermaut and Roesems took over the lead and they had 45 seconds on the other 4. There was a fall in peloton (including Franky Van Haesebroucke and Jan Poppe).
13.50 - At the top of De Muur (after 84 km) there were 4 leaders: Stive Vermaut, Bert Roesems, Darius Strole and Cristian Moreni. At 3 minutes was Bart Everaerts, and at 3.5 minutes was Christophe Agnolutto.
13.58 - The peloton passed the Muur at more than 7 minutes down. In front of the peloton: a move by Peter Van Petegem, Johan Museeuw and Frank Vandenbroucke.
14.05 - The peloton lost more than 3 minutes because of a closed railroad/crossing.
14.35 - There were 3 leaders - Vermaut, Roesems and Moreni. Strole was at 1.20.
15.00 - Tchmil started to create some activity in the peloton. In a short time the peloton was reduced to a group of 35 with the leaders still 6 minutes in front.
15.25 - After a lot of fast riding in the peloton, the gap was down to 3 minutes.
15.40 - On the Molenberg - there was an attack by three riders - Van Petegem, Planckaert and Van Heeswijck. Within a few kilometers the peloton was back to one group again with 3 leaders out at 2.30.
15.45 - Frank Vandenbroucke attacked and only Chris Peers, Stuart O'Grady, Andrei Tchmil and Johan Museeuw could follow.
15.55 - Vandenbroucke's attempt was nullified after the TVM team stepped it up in the peloton. The leaders were then caught.
16.05 - Skibby attacked and soon the peloton was at 0.30.
16.15 - Jesper Skibby was quickly brought back and there was a peloton of 40 riders with 25 kms to go.
16.25 - On the pave section in Laarne: Vandenbroucke, Steels, Peeters, Planckaert, Tchmil, Museeuw, Feys, Van Petegem and Knaven went of the front and were the new leaders.
16.30 - The leading bunch had a gap of 0.30.
16.35 - Comeback rider Museeuw attacked but Tchmil reeled him in. At that moment Frank Vandenbroucke attacked and only Wilfried Peeters followed.
16.42 - The other 7 riders stopped the pursuit. The 2 leaders had a 13 second advantage.
16.46 - The gap was now out to 26 seconds for Vandenbroucke and Peeters. Wilfried was not helping VDB. There was still 3 kms to the finish.
16.48 - The two leaders had 45 seconds.
16.51 - Vandenbroucke started sprint on 200 meters of finish and won easily (Peeters never came out of the wheel). Steels was 3rd, followed by Tchmil, Planckaert, Museeuw, Van Petegem, Knaven and Feys. Chris Peers 10th on 1.40.

Complete Starting List

TVM-Farm Frites Mapei-Quick Step 1. Peter Van Petegem (Bel) 11. Tom Steels (Bel) 2. Johan Capiot (Bel) 12. Leif Hoste (Bel) 3. Steven De Jongh (Ned) 13. Bart Leysen (Bel) 4. Tristan Hoffman (Ned) 14. Axel Merckx (Bel) 5. Servis Knaven (Ned) 15. Johan Museeuw (Bel) 6. Andreas Klier (Ger) 16. Daniele Nardello (Ita) 7. Geert Van Bondt (Bel) 17. Wilfried Peeters (Bel) 8. Hendrik Van Dyck (Bel) 18. Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) Lotto-Mobistar Spar-RDM 21. Mario Aerts (Bel) 31. Michel Cornelisse (Ned) 22. Koen Beeckman (Bel) 32. Frank Corvers (Bel) 23. Fabian De Waele (Bel) 33. Etienne De Wilde (Bel) 24. Wim Feys (Bel) 34. Barry Hoedemakers (Bel) 25. Thierry Marichal (Bel) 35. Geert Omloop (Bel) 26. Chris Peers (Bel) 36. Wim Omloop (Bel) 27. Jo Planckaert (Bel) 37. Peter Peys (Bel) 28. Andreï Tchmil (Bel) 38. Gianni Rivera (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 Palmans-Ideal 41. Wilfried Cretskens (Bel) 51. Steven Van Malderghem (Bel) 42. Glenn D'Hollander (Bel) 52. Hans De Clercq (Bel) 43. Kris Gerits (Bel) 53. Nico Eeckhout (Bel) 44. Nico Renders (Bel) 54. Roger Hammond 45. Tom Stremersch (Bel) 55. Karl Pauwels (Bel) 46. Kristof Trouvé (Bel) 56. Darius Strole (Lat) 47. Kurt Van Lancker (Bel) 57. Jurgen Vermeesch (Bel) 48. Stive Vermaut (Bel) 58. Gert Vanderaerden (Bel) Collstrop Ipso-Euroclean 61. Dany Baeyens (Bel) 71. Andy De Smet (Bel) 62. Tony Bracke (Bel) 72. Jan Poppe (Bel) 63. Danny Daelman (Bel) 73. Pauly Burke (USA) 64. Eric De Clercq (Bel) 74. Tim Lenaers (Bel) 65. Tom Desmet (Bel) 75. David Verreth (Bel) 66. Bart Everaert (Bel) 76. José-Manuel Garcia (Mex) 67. Franky Van Haesebroucke (Bel) 77. Steven De Schamp (Bel) 68. Wim Vansevenant (Bel) 78. Steven De Neef (Bel) Home Market-Ville Charleroi Tonissteiner-Colnago 81. Ronny Assez (Bel) 91. Michel Vanhaecke (Bel) 82. Ludovic Cappelle (Bel) 92. Franky De Buyst (Bel) 83. Jurgen De Buysschere (Bel) 93. Bert Roesems (Bel) 84. Bart Brentjens (Ned) 94. Davy Delmé (Bel) 85. Stéphane Hennebert (Bel) 95. Johan De Geyter (Bel) 86. Filip Meirhaeghe (Bel) 96. Eddy Torrekens (Bel) 87. Laurent Pillon (Fra) 97. Kees Hopmans (Ned) 88. Gregory Schoelens (Bel) 98. Nicolas Coudray (Swi) Rabobank Deutsche Telekom 101. Erik Dekker (Ned) 111. Rolf Aldag (Ger) 102. Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) 112. Dirk Baldinger (Ger) 103. Bert Hiemstra (Ned) 113. Alberto Elli (Ita) 104. Robbie McEwen (Aus) 114. Danilo Hondo (Ger) 105. Rolf Sörensen (Den) 115. Andreas Klöden (Ger) 106. Leon Van Bon (Ned) 116. Giovanni Lombardi (Ita) 107. Aart Vierhouten (Ned) 117. Jan Schaffrath (Ger) 108. Marc Wauters (Bel) 118. Steffen Wesemann (Ger) Gerolssteiner Nurnberger 121. Anton Chantyr (Rus) 131. Bert Dietz (Ger) 122. Hans De Meester (Bel) 132. Klaus Diewald (Ger) 123. Filip Branko (Slo) 133. Jan Hordijk (Ned) 124. Edouard Gritsoun (Rus) 134. Alex Kastenhuber (Ger) 125. René Haselbacher (Ger) 135. Roberto Lochowski (Ger) 126. Sascha Henrix (Ger) 136. Frank Reuss (Ger) 127. Jörg Ludewig (Ger) 137. Raphael Schweda (Ger) 128. Peter Wrolich (Ger) 138. Jens Zemke (Ger) Cofidis La Francaise des Jeux 141. Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) 151. Christophe Bassons (Fra) 142. Peter Farazijn (Bel) 152. Jimmy Casper (Fra) 143. Steve De Wolf (Bel) 153. Patrick D'Hont (Fra) 144. Philippe Gaumont (Fra) 154. Frédéric Guesdon (Fra) 145. Anthony Rioka (Fra) 155. Bradley McGee (Aus) 146. Francis Moreau (Fra) 156. Emmanuel Magnien (Fra) 147. Arnaud Pretot (Fra) 157. Christophe Mengin (Fra) 158. Lars Michaelsen (Den) Casino Festina-Lotus 161. Christophe Agnolutto (Fra) 171. Florent Brard (Fra) 162. Lauri Aus (Est) 172. Patrice Halgand (Fra) 163. Stéphane Barthe (Fra) 173. Laurent Madouas (Fra) 164. Andy Flickinger (Fra) 174. Laurent Lefevre (Fra) 165. Jann Kirsipuu (Est) 175. Jaime Hernandez (Spa) 166. David Lefevre (Fra) 176. Franz Hotz (Swi) 167. Frédéric Bessy (Fra) 177. André Korff (Ger) 178. Andreï Kivilev (Kaz) Crédit Agricole Big Mat-Auber 93 181. Magnus Bäckstedt (Swe) 191. Guillaume Auger (Fra) 182. Sébastien Hinault (Fra) 192. Ludovic Auger (Fra) 183. Christopher Jenner (NZ) 193. Stéphane Berges (Fra) 184. Frédéric Moncassin (Fra) 194. Christophe Capelle (Fra) 185. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) 195. Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) 186. Eros Poli (Ita) 196. Laurent Genty (Fra) 187. Cédric Vasseur (Fra) 197. Thierry Gouvenou (Fra) 188. Henk Vogels (Aus) 198. Alexei Sivakov (Rus) Lampre-Daikin Team Polti 201. Franco Ballerini (Ita) 211. Enrico Cassani (Ita) 202. Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel) 212. Cristiano Colleoni (Ita) 203. Matteo Frutti (Ita) 213. Leonardo Guidi (Ita) 204. Robert Hunter (RSA) 214. Denis Lunghi (Ita) 205. Gabriele Missaglia (Ita) 215. Fabio Sacchi (Ita) 206. Marco Serpellini (Ita) 216. Cristian Salvato (Ita) 207. Zbigniew Spruch (Pol) 217. Denis Zanette (Ita) 208. Johan Verstrepen (Bel) 218. Mauro Zinetti (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Sidermec Liquigas 221. Massimo Apollonio (Ita) 231. Biagio Conte (Ita) 222. Gianluca Bortolami (Ita) 232. Enrio Leoni (Ita) 223. Andrej Hauptmann (Slo) 233. Marco Milesi (Ita) 224. Zoran Klemenic (Slo) 234. Raimondo Giancarlo (Ita) 225. Gianluca Sironi (Ita) 235. Cristian Moreni (Ita) 226. Mauro Radaeli (Ita) 236. Daniele Contrini (Ita) 227. Romans Vainsteins (Lat) 237. Rodolfo Ongarato (Ita) 228. Matthew White (Aus) 238. Rouslam Ivanov (Rus) Home-Jack & Jones 241. Jesper Skibby (Den) 242. Arvis Piziks (Lat) 243. Juris Silovs (Lat) 244. Michael-Steen Nielsen (Den) 245. Michael Holst Kyneb (Den) 246. Marc-Strange Jacobsen (Den) 247. Michael Blaudzun (Den) 248. Nicolay Bo Larsen (Den)

Route
Gent - Official Reception at 11.30 am.
St.-Pietersplein - Kunstlaan - left Ch. De Kerckhovelaan - right into K.V. Rijsselberghedreef - LAH E. Clauslaan - 2x intersection straight on Krijgslaan - at the rotonda of the Sterre LAH direction Oudenaarde - N60 - Oudenaardsestweg (bridge over Ringvaart + E40)

Gent - Official Start
Third intersection (after bridge) - 0 km - 11.45
De Pinte
2x intersection straight on N60 Rijksweg bridge over E17 - 2 kms - 11.48
Nazareth
Eke - 2x roundabout, straight on Nieuwe Stweg intersection straight on N60
Zingem
2x intersection straight on Gentsebaan N60 Gentsestweg N60 - 8 kms - 11.57
Oudenarde
roundabout straight on Westerring N60 - 12 kms - 12.03
Right direction Avelgem N453 - Minnebroederstraat - 19 kms - 12.13
Intersection right N453 - Minnebroederstraat
Wortegem - Petegem
Petegem at the Schelde - straight on - N453 - Kortrijkstraat - 21 kms - 12.16
Province West-Vlaanderen - Avelgem
churchhove - straight on N 453 Oudenaardsestweg, roundabout straight on N8 Oudenaardsestweg - 28 kms - 12.26
Waarmaarde - straight on N8 Oudenaardsestweg, left direction "Ruien" Ruggestraat - bridge over Schelde LA
Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen - Kluisbergen
Ruien - Avelgemstraat - 33 kms - 12.32
Right Kapellestraat railway, left + right Wuipelstraat - RAH Buissestraat, RAH Bergstraat
1st climb: Kluisberg - 35 kms - 12.35
Provincie Henegouwen - Mont de l'Enclus
Orroir
T - right Enclus du Haut - straight on rue Résistants, T - left Ch. de La Libération - 36 kms - 12.36
T left Place d'Orroir, Amougies - straight on rue Couture du Moulin, T - left, church + RAH Place, d'Amougies - 38 kms - 12.39
Ruisseignies - straight on Ch. du Moulin, left rue Labroye, rue de Trieu
2nd climb: Cote de Trieu - 42 kms - 12.45
Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen - Kluisbergen
Kwaremont - straight on - Knokstraat, right Drogenbroodstraat - T - LA Ronde v. Vlaanderenstraat
T left N36 Ronsebaan !!!!! for city centre, Berchem - Stationstraat - 44 kms - 12.48
Right over the railway - Parklaan, right bridgegestraat - intersection RA Broektestraat - 46 kms - 12.51
Kwaremont - straight on Kwaremontplein - Schilderstraat
3rd climb: Oude Kwaremont - 49 kms - 12.55
LAH + (2800m cobbles)
T left Ronsebaan N36 - intersection La Lamontstraat, Left Kalkhovenstraat - 2nd LAH Middenloopstraat, right Patersbergstraat
4th climb: Patersberg - 52 kms - 12.59
T right Lamontstraat, intersection left Tenbroekestraat - LAH Dalstraat, Zulzeke - T right Driesstraat - Platuise, RAH Zulzekestraat - church - Hoogberstraat
Ronse
T left Zandstraat - Kruisstraat N42, intersection straight on Ommegangstraat N425 (alongside the N60b) - 59 kms - 13.09
Maarkedal
Nuchurche - straight on Ommegangstraat N425 - 62 kms - 13.14
Etikhove - straight on Steenweg to Schorisse - church - 63 kms - 13.16
Schorisse - intersection right (Wolfsgat) -Koekamerstraat - 65 kms - 13.19
Provincie Henegouwen - Ellezelles
Flobecq, intersection left (Quatre Vents) direction "Brakel" N48, 200m right direction. "Flobecq" N520 - 67 kms - 13.22
Left Queneau - 70 kms - 13.26
Intersection left Paillert (door bos RAH)
5th climb: Pottelberg - 72 kms - 13.29
T right (kapel) d'Hoppe, intersection straight on Ten Bossestraat - Straight ahead Motte T left Motte - direction "Steenbergen" - 75 kms - 13.34
Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen - Brakel
Everbeek - straight on Maandagstraat - 76 kms - 13.35
T Ra Muiterij - church - LAH Muiterij, Straight ahead Steenbergen - Priemstraat, roundabout straight on Molenstraat, T right Steenweg N493 direction "Geraardsbergen" - 79 kms - 13.40
Geraardsbergen
Zarlardinge - straight on Oudenaardestraat N493, Goeferdinge, LAH Stweg op Geraardsbergen, N493 direction "Geraardsbergen."
Overboelare - intersection left Astridlaan - 85 kms - 13.49
Intersection right roundabout Zonnebloemstraat (under the railway bridge) N495, Geraardsbergen - right (near the bridge) Weverstraat - 86 kms - 13.50
T left Denderstraat - intersection straight on Oude Steenweg, right Oudebergstraat
6th climb: Muur - (500m of cobbles) - 87 kms - 13.52
Straight ahead Driepikkel, T right Oude Steenweg, intersection left Edingsesteenweg, Zonnebloemstraat N495 - 89 kms - 13.55
Intersection right Volderstraat !!!!!, Onkerzele - intersection left Kampstraat, bridge over Dender, Schendelbeke - straight on churchborre, railway - 91 kms - 13.58
Intersection straight on Moenebroekstraat, Ophasselt - intersection Straight ahead Moenebroekstraat Bildken, T left Leopoldlaan N8 - 94 kms - 14.02
Intersection straight on Brambroek (De Kat) N8, intersection straight on Brambroek (cross Expressway) N8 - 95 kms - 14.03
Lielae
St.-Maria-Lierde, Straight ahead N8 Steenweg railway.
Bevoorrading
From the railway to the edge of "Lierde" - 97 kms - 14.06
end of territory - 98 kms - 14.08
Brakel
Brakel - right Beekstraat N462 - 102 kms - 14.14
RAH Watermolenstraat N462, 300m left Driehoekstraat, Right roundabout churchhofstraat - Straight ahead Valkenbergstraat
7th climb: Valkenberg - 105 kms - 14.19
T left Twaalfbunderstraat
T left +20m T right Oudenaardestraat - 107 kms - 14.22
Zegelsem - Oudenaardsestweg N8 - 108 kms - 14.23
Horebeke
St.-Kornelis-Horebeke - Oudenaardsestwg N8 - 112 kms - 14.30
Left Stene N454 direction "Schorisse"
Maarkedal
Schorisse - straight on Zottegemstraat church
Right Schorissestraat N457 - 115 kms - 14.33
Maarke-churchem - straight on Maarkeweg N457 church - 117 kms - 14.36
Right Eikenberg narrow road
8th climb: Eikenberg - (1400m of cobbles) - 120 kms - 14.41
Oudenaarde
Edelare - T left Kerzelare N8 - Straight ahead Edelareberg church, Leupegem - right Aalststraat N46, intersection right Van de Fonteynel. (300m cobbles) - 122 kms - 14.44
T left Mijttestraat, Volkegem - straight on Tivolistraat, Right Volkegemberg, straight on De la Kethulleplein, Straight ahead Van Brakelstraat
9th climb: Volkegem - (300m of cobbles) - 125 kms - 14.49
T left Holleweg N441 (600m cobbles), Straight ahead Matendries, Ename - right Blote direction "Ganzenplas", T right Boskant - LAH Casterstraat - 127 kms - 14.52
T left Bronstraat - 100m right Zwadderstraat - 129 kms - 14.55
Mater - intersection right churchgate (3.000m cobbles), Straight ahead Matersplein, church, K. Martelstraat - 131 kms - 14.58
T left Holleweg N441 - T left Houwaert N8 direction "Brakel", Left (thv Brouwerij Roman) - 134 kms - 15.02
Horebeke
St.-Mar.-Horebeke - straight on Dorpstraat church Broekstraat - 137 kms - 15.07
Left Smarre - right Molenberg.
Zwalm
Sint-Denijs-Boekel - Straight ahead Molenberg
10th climb: Molenberg - 300m of cobbles) - 139 kms - 15.10
T right Wijlegem - intersection right Franskouterstraat, St.-Blasius-Boekel - intersection Straight ahead Marlboroughstraat, church - 141 kms - 15.13
Brakel
Elst - intersection straight on Boekelstraat.
T right Gentsestraat
Intersection left Lepelstraat roundabout Straight ahead Lepelstraat - 143 kms - 15.16
Michelbeke - LAH Groenstraat, Riedeplein - Berendries
11th climb: Berendries - 147 kms 15.22
Zottegem
Sint-Maria-Oudenhov, T left Brakelstraat. intersection left St.-Hubertusplein, Oudenhovenstraat - 148 kms - 15.23
Intersection right Langendries.
Brakel
Michelbeke - right Boembekestraat
Zwalm
Rozebeke - straight on Rozebekestraat, RAH Rozebekeplein - church, 200m cobbles straight on St.-Annastraat - 152 kms - 15.27
Roborst - intersection straight on Huttegemstraat, T right church Borstekouterstraat, 200m kass. railway - 154 kms - 15.32
Zottegem
Velzeke - straight on Paddenstraat, 2400m cobbles, right Romeinsplein, Left Lippenhovenstraat, 800m cobbles - 158 kms - 15.38
Intersection left Lippenseweg, intersection right Provinciebaan N46, Elene - intersection straight on Provinciebaan, N46 railway, Steenweg op Aalst - 161 kms - 15.43
Leeuwergem - intersection left N42, Gentsestweg - 162 kms - 15.44
Oosterzele
Balegem - straight on Gentsesteenweg N42, Oosterzele - 2x intersection straight on N42, Gentsestweg - 168 kms - 15.53
Gijzenzele - straight on N42 Gentsestwg - bridge over E40 - 171 kms - 15.57
Wetteren
Kwatrecht - intersection Straight ahead Wetterstraat N417 (kruising N9) - 173 kms - 16.00
Left Wetterstraat N400b railway - 174 kms - 16.01
Wetteren - T right Gentsestweg N400, roundabout left direction "Gent" - Felix Beernaertsplein, intersection straight on Kon. Astridlaan - bridge over Schelde - 176 kms - 16.03
roundabout straight on Nieuwe bridge, LAH + RAH Kalkensteenweg N407 - 177 kms - 16.04
Laarne
Laarne - straight on Provinciebaan N407, 2nd straat left Krimineelstraat - 180 kms - 16.08
Intersection straight on Krimineelstraat, 300m cobbles, T right Dendermondsestweg N445, Right Steenbekestraat (Schorpioen), 600m cobbles - 182 kms - 16.10
T left Nerenweg, Kalken - T left Kalkendorp - church - 183 kms - 16.11
LAH + RAH Vromontstraat, right Berringstraat, 500m cobbles, T left Boombosstraat - 184 kms - 16.13
T right Vaarschootstraat, T left Uitbergenstraat
Berlare
Overmere - straight on Burgveldstraat, T right Molenstraat, 200m left (vr Café Groendijk) Herenmeersstraatje - 186 kms - 16.16
Straight ahead Koningstraat, 600m cobbles, T left Broekstraat (2x VP), Intersection left Kruisstraat, Fortstraat, Burg. De Lausnaystraat N445 - 188 kms - 16.18
Intersection right - church - churchstraat (1x VP) N407 - 189 kms - 16.19
Lokeren
Heiende - straight on bridge over E17, left Vogelzangstraat, 1300m cobbles - 192 kms - 16.23
T right Bontinckstraat - Straight ahead Kerrebroekstraat, right Nieuwe Molenstraat, Intersection right Beerveldestraat - 195 kms - 16.27
T left Heiendestraat - church - 4x VP Hillarestraat - 197 kms - 16.30
Lokeren - intersection left Kon. Fabiolalaan, bridge over the railway - 200 kms - 16.34
T - right Gentsesteenweg N70 - 201 kms - 16.35
Intersection straight on Tweebridgegenstraat - bridge over de Durme N70, Intersection straight on Bergendriesstraat N70
Finish approximately 20m from Brouwerijstraat - 202 kms 16.37

Past Winner's List

1945 Jean Bogaerts (Bel) 1946 André Pieters (Bel) 1947 Albert Sercu (Bel) 1948 Sylvain Grysolle (Bel) 1949 André Declerck (Bel) 1950 André Declerck (Bel) 1951 Jean Bogaerts (Bel) 1952 Ernest Sterckx (Bel) 1953 Ernest Sterckx (Bel) 1954 Karel De Baere (Bel) 1955 Lode Anthonis (Bel) 1956 Ernest Sterckx (Bel) 1957 Norbert Kerckhove (Bel) 1958 Joseph Planckaert (Bel) 1959 Seamus Elliott (Ire) 1961 Arthur De Cabooter (Bel) 1962 Robert DeMiddeleir (Bel) 1963 René Van Meenen (Bel) 1964 Frans Melckenbeek (Bel) 1965 Noél De Pauw (Bel) 1966 Jo De Roo (Ned) 1967 Willy Vekemans (Bel) 1968 Herman Vanspringel (Bel) 1969 Roger DeVlaeminck (Bel) 1970 Frans Verbeeck (Bel) 1971 Eddy Merckx (Bel) 1972 Frans Verbeeck (Bel) 1973 Eddy Merckx (Bel) 1974 Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 1975 Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 1976 Willem Peeters (Bel) 1977 Freddy Maertens (Bel) 1978 Freddy Maertens (Bel) 1979 Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) 1980 Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 1981 Jan Raas (Ned) 1982 Alfons De Wolf (Bel) 1983 Alfons De Wolf (Bel) 1984 Eddy Planckaert (Bel) 1985 Eddy Planckaert (Bel) 1987 Teun Van Vliet (Ned) 1988 Ronny Van Holen (Bel) 1989 Etienne De Wilde (Bel) 1990 Johan Capiot (Bel) 1991 Andreas Kappes (Ger) 1992 Johan Capiot (Bel) 1993 Wilfried Nelissen (Bel) 1994 Wilfried Nelissen (Bel) 1995 Franco Ballerini (Ita) 1996 Tom Steels (Bel) 1997 Peter Van Petegem (Bel) 1998 Peter Van Petegem (Bel) TVM 202 kms in 5.08.00 1999 Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) Cofidis 202 kms in 5.12.00 (38.846 km/h)
Thanks to Mario, Berlin