GP Kortrijk

Belgium, August 7, 1997

Race Report

Johan Museeuw scored his ninth win for the season yesterday (Thursday) at the GP Kortrijk in southern Belgium. He is now on target for San Sebastian on Saturday. In the sprint with eleven riders, Museeuw had the last word. Frank Vandenbroucke and Nico Mattan lit up the race at the half-way mark with a powerful attack. With some sterling chasing work from Verbrugghe, Pankov and Bracke the attack was over some 10 kms later. There was a strong wind and in the following group Vanhaecke was working to close the gap. The Ipso riders, Peeters, Peers, Masahiko and Roesems were also supporting.

Museeuw however, closed the gap on the five easily. In his wake, followed the peloton. The Mapei-GB top rider then tried to make it a solo project. But he had for deal with a coalition of riders from Lotto and Ipso.

With ten kilometres to the end, Museeuw attacked over again and formed a break with eleven other riders. Museeuw tried to make a lone attacks. First, De Meester, and then Planckaert countered. None could get free and it came down to the sprint with Johan the strongest. Team-mate Vandebroucke followed at a length.

Race distance - 100 kms:

 1. Johan Museeuw (Bel) Mapei-GB     3.00.33
 2. Frank Vandenbroucke
 3. Hans De Meester
 4. Peter Verbeken
 5. Willy Willems
 6. Jo Planckaert
 7. Kurt Van de Wouwer
 8. Peter Farazijn
 9. Rik Van Slycke 			0.04
10. Robbie Vandaele
11. Michel Vanhaecke 			0.10
12. Oleg Pankov (Oek) 			0.21
13. Ken Hashikawa (Jap)
14. Jan Poppe
15. Ronny Assez
16. Tom Desmet
17. Tony Bracke
18. Frank Van Haesebroucke
19. Fabien De Waele
20. Masahiko Mifune (Jap)
21. Christophe Detilleux
22. Harry Lodge (G-B)
23. Wilfried Peeters
24. Rik Claeys
25. Wim Vansevenant