In the espoirs race the Belgian favorite, Bart Wellens took the lead on the first lap with Tom Vannoppen in second. At five laps the gap was 50 seconds but did not widen very much after that. Wellens was in command, the rest was a mere question of transport. Belgium took a Grand Slam with the three first positions in the race. Wellens was pleased with his win, taking place so close to his home town of Antwerp (less than an hour's drive away) "It's like home to me, so this victory is special."

It's reported that Bart Wellens after all would like to be professional, and that he has had discussions with Palmans as well as Mapei but has no't been able to reach any agreements. According to Palman's sources the young Belgian asked for too much - more than a certain World Champion, Mario de Clercq, who is already under contract with Palmans.

Thanks to Tomas Nilsson/Rich Wanninger for the reports

1. Bart Wellens (Bel)               53.32
2. Tom Vannoppen (Bel)               0.44
3. Davy Commeyne (Bel)               1.04
4. David Derepas (Fra)               1.36
5. Camiel Van Den Bergh (Ned)        1.38
6. Steffen Weigold (Ger)             1.39
7. Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel)         1.39
8. Wilant Van Gils (Ned)             2.15
9. Thijs Volker (Ned)                2.24
10. Roel Va Houtum (Ned)             2.29
11. Andrew Vancoillie (Bel)          2.39
12. John Gadret (Fra)                2.44
13. Michael Baumgartner (Swi)        2.55
14. Steve Fogen (Lux)                3.10
15. Francis Mourey (Fra)             3.53
16. Freek De Jong (Ned)              4.04
17. Ondrej Dlask (Cze)               4.09
18. Matthias Kern (Swi)              4.13
19. Phillip Dixon (Gbr)              4.16
20. Thomas Lecuyer (Fra)             4.27
21. Julien Bertaut (Fra)             4.38
22. Christian Wasmer (Ger)           4.42
23. Hannes Genze (Ger)               4.43
24. Tim Morley (Gbr)                 4.45
25. Gusti Bausch (Lux)               4.46
26. Peter Presslauer (Aut)           5.04
27. David Rusch (Swi)                5.10
28. Valeriano Vandelli (Ita)         5.15
29. David Salas Pin (Spa)            5.16
30. Jens Reuker (Ger)                5.20
31. Aurelien Clerc (Swi)             5.20
32. Michele Sbetta (Ita)             5.34
33. Daniel Booth (Gbr)               5.41
34. Peter Riis Andersen (Den)        5.52
35. Tommy Nielsen (Den)              5.56
36. Josef Soukup (Cze)               6.02
37. Christian Trafelet (Swi)         6.04
38. Stefano Toffoletti (Ita)         6.09
39. Tim Van Nuffel (Bel)             6.15
40. Shaun Snodden (Gbr)              6.24
41. Björn Schröder (Ger)             6.49
42. Jed Sheckler (USA)               6.55
43. Benjamin Jacques-Maynes (USA)    7.11
44. Radek Becka (Cze)                7.40
45. Haitz Ortiz (Spa)                7.50
46. James Perry (Gbr)                7.58
47. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe)         9.01
48. Juan Bello Villar (Spa)          9.11
49. Shinya Ikemoto (Jpn)             9.28
50. Andy Jacques Maine (USA)         1 lap
51. Pavel Vesely (Cze)

Intermediate results:

After five laps:
1. Bart Wellens (Bel)           (21,5 kph)
2. Tom Vannoppen (Bel)           at 0.50
3. Davy Commeyne (Bel)
4. David Derepas (Fra)
5. Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel)
6. Steffen Weigold (Ger)
7. Camiel Van Den Bergh (Ned)


With one lap to go:
1. Bart Wellens (Bel)              45.22
2. Tom Vannoppen (Bel)             0.52
3. Davy Commeyne (Bel)             1.15
4. David Derepas (Fra)             1.57
5. Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel)       1.57
6. Steffen Weigold (Ger)           2.03
7. Camiel Van Den Bergh (Ned)      2.09
8. Wilant Van Gils (Ned)           2.26
9. Thijs Volker (Ned)
10. Roel Van Houtum (Ned)          2.39