19th International Hessen Rundfahrt - 2.4

Germany, October 4-8, 2000

Stage 1 - October 4: Wiesbaden - Schotten, 159.0 km

Van Heeswijk takes first stage

Dutchman Max Van Heeswijk (Mapei) won the first stage of the 19th International Hessen Rundfarht today, 159 kilometres from Wiesbaden to Schotten. He beat Agro Adler's veteran, Andreas Kappes and soon to be ex-Rabobank, Niki Aebersold in a group sprint.

The race's main breakaway came from Cofidis' Robert Sassone, who attacked after 60 kilometres but was caught at the 130 kilometre point after enjoying a maximum lead of 6'30. Sassone did enough to gain the sprinter's jersey in the meantime. From then on, any attacks were nullified by the peloton, before a group got away with 10 kilometres to go before the last climb of the day.

The Mapei team are the strongest in the tour, and have a good chance of the overall win with Axel Merckx. However, last year's winner Jens Zemke (Nürnberger) said that he would like to win one stage. Notable absentees from the start list include Pavel Tonkov (Mapei), Bo Hamburger (Memorycard) and Francois Simon (Bonjour), while Hamburger's teammate Michael Blaudzun was forced to abandon due to sickness.

Results

1. Max van Heeswijk (Ned) Mapei-Quick Step        3.45.48 (42.250 km/h)
2. Andreas Kappes (Ger) Agro Adler-Brandenburg
3. Niki Aebersold (Swi) Rabobank
4. Roger Beuchat (Swi) Post Swiss
5. Bert Dietz (Ger) Team Nürnberger
6. Raymond Meijs (Ned) Team Cologne

General classification after stage 1:

1. Max van Heeswijk (Ned) Mapei-Quick Step        3.45.38
2. Andreas Kappes (Ger) Agro Adler-Brandenburg	     0.04
3. Niki Aebersold (Swi) Rabobank		     0.10
4. Roger Beuchat (Swi) Post Swiss
5. Bert Dietz (Ger) Team Nürnberger
6. Raymond Meijs (Ned) Team Cologne

Climbers classification:

1. Bert Dietz (Ger) Team Nürnberger

Sprinters classification:

1. Robert Sassone (Fra) Cofidis