Race ReportEric de Clercq gives Collstrop two out of two. Of the 71 starters, a top group of 23 quickly formed. The peloton did not seem to worry. With a group of 14 then going away, the strongest was De Clercq. "For a moment, with Mario Moerman riding with me, I felt good, and thus tried to dictate the finale, with each attack."The last time that the rider from Brakel attacked, Robbie Vandaele and Wim Feys went with him. Vanadaele tried first, De Clercq countered. Then Feys and Vanedaele tried. Third time was the right time for De Clercq in the final kilometre. "Finally, the first flowers fron a win on a nice Thursday in Zottegem, two out of two for our team." The most important news, however, came before the start. Paul De Baeremaeker said a petition from the amateurs in the professional peloton would be lodged. "We have the national championships this coming weekend for the elites without contract and the hopefuls and a meeting is scheduled with the National Body. Willy Teirlinck and I will put our arguments on the table" said the sports director of Ipso. Ispo have been complaining about the invasion of professional riders into amateur events. Race distance - 164 kms:1. Eric De Clercq (Bel) 3.55.00 2. Robbie Vandaele 0.16 3. Wim Feys 0.17 4. John Talen (Ned) 0.18 5. Oleg Pankov (Oek) 0.25 6. Franky De Buyst 7. Marc Streel 8. Robbie McEwen (Australia) 9. Bart Heirewegh 10. Chris Peers 0.29 11. Paul Van Hyfte 1.06 12. Danny Daelman 3.34 13. Geert Omloop 14. Fabien De Waele 15. Jan Poppe 16. Michel Vanhaecke 17. Mario Moermans 18. Koen Beeckman 19. Gino Verheyden 20. Rik Van Slycke 21. Tim Lenaers 22. Patrick De Wael 23. Dany Baeyens 24. Tony Bracke 25. Mario De Clerck 26. Koen Deschuytter 27. Tom Stremersch 28. Jim Van de Laer 29. Werner Vandromme 30. Franky Van Haesebroucke 71 Starters Belgian unless noted |