GP Tienen, National Event (No UCI Points)

Belgium, September 28, 1997

Race Report - Heirewegh with the fastest legs

The few remaining elite racers in the race saw an animated finish with the winner coming from the Ipso team. Bart Heirewegh was the fastest of the 6 and Wim Omloop coming second. Steven De Neef (Collstrop) was fourth, but earned the title of Champion of Brabant for his efforts.

Attacking in the first lap was Heirewegh, Hulsmans, Hennebert, Omloop, De Neef, Verstrepen, the Danes, Piil Storm and Hoj and the Pole Rosolinski. From behind, another group with Jan Poppe, McCormack and Nickiewicz, and another Pole came back. The front group hung on to a small gap of a minute.

By the second lap, a smaller group went off the front with Heirewegh, his teammate Poppe, De Neef, Hennebert, Omloop and Verstrepen. The sprint went to the rider from Zele (West Flanders) barely.

Race distance - 170 kms:

 1. Bart Heirewegh (Bel) Ipso
 2. Geert Omloop (Bel) EC Bayer
 3. Stéphane Hennebert (Bel) Tonissteiner-Saxon
 4. Steven De Neef (Bel) Collstrop-Lystex (Champion of Brabant)
 5. Frank Hoj (Den) Collstrop-Lystex
 6. Johan Verstrepen (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002-E. Merckx
 7. Jan Poppe (Bel) Ipso
 8. Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) elite
 9. Jakob Piil Storm (Den) RDM-Asfra-Sitra
10. Davy Delme (Bel) elite
11. Eric De Clercq (Bel) Collstrop-Lystex
12. Michel Cornelisse (Ned) Foreldorado-Golff
13. Ronny Assez (Bel) RDM-Asfra-Sitra
14. Chann McRae (USA) Con
15. Frank McCormack (USA) Saturn
16. Marko Schlitchen (Ger) Team Nurnberger
17. Scott Guyton (NZ)
18. Bjorn Leukemans (Bel) elite
19. Rudi Vingerhoets (Bel) elite
20. Tom Claes (Bel) elite
21. Bert Roesems (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002-E. Merckx
22. Tim Lenaers (Bel) Collstrop-Lystex
23. Jurgen Van Roosbroeck (Bel) elite
24. Marco Engels (Ned) RDM-Asfra-Sitra
25. Tony Bracke (Bel) Ipso
26. Rik Claeys (Bel) Collstrop-Lystex