GP Vichte, National Event (No UCI Points)

Belgium, September 23, 1997

Gert Vanderaerden faster than Fabien de Waele

Gert Vanderaerden disposed of his fellow breakaway rider Fabien De Waele with cold craft in the final sprint to win the GP Vichte. Although the race was held in very sunny conditions, the peloton was not very inspired. The first 100 kms were fairly pedestrian. Franky De Buyst shouldered the load. Around 50 riders followed him.

The great break in the race came around 10 kms later. Under the impulse of the Palmans and Lotto team, a leadersgroup of 24 formed. With around 25 kms to go Vanderaerden went for it. Only De Waele followed. The two really hammered and had a gap of around 1 min 10 fairly quickly.

It was left to Jan Koerts, Andy Desmet, Peter Farazijn (Lotto) and Peter Spaenhoven (Palmans) to react. The two went all out to keep their gap and still had 15 seconds as they stormed into the last kilometre. Vanderaerden exercised a calculated finish to take his second win for the season.

He said "the form is good. The last weeks I have been riding for the team. In Paris-Bourges I hope to have a big race". After the two had sprinted, Peter Spaenhoven won the sprint for 3rd place.

Race distance - 150 kms:

 1. Gert Vanderaerden (Bel) Palmans  3.30.00
 2. Fabian de Waele (Bel) Lotto
 3. Hammond (GB) 			0.05
 4. Andy de Smet (Bel) Ipso
 5. Peter Farazijn (Bel) Lotto
 6. Jan Koerts (Ned) 			0.08
...
11. John Talen (Ned) Foreldorado-Golff
18. Van der Meer (Ned)
26. Michele Cornelisse (Ned)

97 starters