97th Paris-Tours - CDM

France, October 5, 2003

Photography

Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

• Cedric Vasseur (Cofidis) mixes his favourite potion before the start
• World Cup leader Paolo Bettini stays warm on a chilly fall morning
• Fabrizio Guidi (Bianchi) was Bianchi's leader for the day
• Jacky Durand (FDJeux.com) gets ready for the early break
• Saeco's red guard gets in formation early
• Jakob Piil (CSC) didn't expect to defend his title
• The bearded one, Jens Voigt, talks to future team director Sean Yates of CSC
• Team CSC pinned its hopes on Kiwi sprinter Julian Dean
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) drives the Paris-Tours early break at the 40 km mark
• The peloton speeds through Voves under the control of Lotto-Domo and Rabobank
• The tail end of the peloton hangs on for dear life
• The sprint saw Erik Zabel (R) beat a disappointed Alessandro Petacchi (L)
• Race winner Erik Zabel prior to removing his race face
• Fred Rodriguez (Vini Caldirola) discusses the final sprint with Jean-Marie Leblanc
• The podium (L to R): Alessandro Petacchi (2nd), Erik Zabel (1st) and Stuart O'Grady (3rd)
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) was clearly not happy at getting so close to a World Cup win
• The U23 podium (l to r): Hoogerland, Claude, Staelen

Images by AFP Photo

• No it wasn't a premature victory salute from Petacchi (L) - it was just disappointment that he lost to Zabel
• Erik Zabel (Telekom) celebrates as he crosses the line to win
• Erik Zabel (Telekom) won his eighth World Cup today in Tours
• Erik Zabel (Telekom) delighted to be on the podium

Images by Alain Quenderf

• Are you taking a photo of me? OK - here's a little smile.
• Nicolas Vogondy (FDJeux.com) goes for the psuedo flat-top hairdo.
• GP Ouest-France Plouay winner Andy Flickinger (Ag2R Prevoyance) can't wait to get on his bike.
• Danilo Di Luca (Saeco) gives a compatriot a handshake. Don't hold on too long, Dani!
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step-Davitamon) listens closely.
• Okay, that's enough lecture time, time for Il Grillo to get hopping.
• Does Erik Zabel (Telekom) already know what lies ahead?
• Christophe Agnolutto (Ag2R Prevoyance) doesn't - he looks way too happy!
• Fabio Baldato (Alessio) happy to watch the traffic go by.
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) hoping for a bunch sprint.
• Estonian champion Janeck Tombak (Cofidis) takes a gulp of some go-go juice.
• "Hey, I'm still talking!" says Jacky Durand (FDJeux.com), "I really am going to stay in the pack until the end". Yeah, right Dudu.
• The serious look.
• Samuel Dumoulin (Jean Delatour) has been one of France's star performers this season.
• "Since the Alessio team car's here, I might as well try and get a pay rise."

Images by Peter Geyer/cyclingfans.com

• The 2003 Paris-Tours race gets underway.
• In introducing the Domina Vacanze-Elitron team at the start, race commentator Daniel Mangeas asked the crowd to be careful not to awaken them.
• Michele Bartoli (Fassa Bortolo) signed autographs while trying to stay warm before the start.
• Stuart O'Grady reached the podium in third place in his last race for Credit Agricole.
• Fred Rodriguez (Vini Caldirola-Saunier Duval) was in a good mood before the start, then rode strongly to contest for the sprint finish, getting 9th.
• Jens "Grizzly" Voigt (Credit Agricole) appeared ready for winter after a long season.
• Classics legend Johan Museeuw (Quick Step-Davitamon) rode in support of teammate Bettini and finished 28th.
• David Etxebarria did not make it to the finish.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step-Davitamon) attracted his own crowd before the race where his 11th-place finish was good enough to wrap up the 2003 World Cup win.
• Bettini juggled signing autographs for fans with speaking to the media.
• Postal's Christian Vandevelde appeared to be admiring Vjatceslav Ekimov's ruby slippers which, when clicked together, perhaps offered a way home after a long season.
• Erik Zabel (Telekom) attracted plenty of attention before the start and even more so at the finish where he won.