Heusden Kermesse, NE

Belgium, August 12, 1997

Race Report

The news was "Finally a win for Gert Vanderaerden". He has gone 5 months, but finally has his first win for the season. He has had knee problems which have upset his debut season. In the classic of kermesse racing, the professional's race at Heusden, on Tuesday, he finally got lucky. Heusden stands at the top. Thousands of spectators and a top field of riders with National Champion Tom Steels.

Also the circuit was excellent. After a short attack by Ludo Dierckxsens, 23 riders took up the lead. This leading group was first reduced to 15, and then another 7 riders were dropped.

In the final phase of the race, Vanderaerden went on his own, but Eric De Clercq reacted. Vanderaerden, who could sense his first victory for the season, kept the right line and left no doubt about his motivation.

"Now I hope to have a good period and I am sitting well for the Tour of the Netherlands and I have a contract with Palmans. I feel pretty good in myself"

Race distance - 170 kms:

 1. Gert Vanderaerden (Lummen)       3.49.00
 2. Eric De Clercq 			0.03
 3. Christophe Detilloux 		0.10
 4. Patrick De Wael			0.16
 5. Rik Van Slijcke 			s.t.
 6. Johan Verstrepen
 7. Hans De Clercq
 8. Johan Capiot
 9. Etienne De Wilde
10. Michel Vanhaecke
11. Pascal Dufourni
12. Franky Van Haesebroucke
13. Oleg Pankov (Oek)
14. Mario De Clercq
15. Jarno Vanfrachem
16. Ronny Assez
17. Nico Renders
18. Masahiko Mifune (Jap)
19. Willy Willems
20. Jean-Pierre Heynderickx
21. Marc Streel
22. Werner Vandromme
23. Christ Hendryckx
24. Gino Verheyden
25. Matthew Allan (Australia)
26. Filip Meirhaeghe
27. Tom Desmet
28. Geert Van Bondt
29. Johan De Geyter
30. Dany Baeyens