44th ENECO Ronde van Nederland - 2.1

Netherlands, August 24-August 28, 2004

Images by Elmar Krings/www.rexite.de

What they're all fighting for - that's a man on a bike by the way, not a pair of scissors.
Alex Zülle will be adopting this role sooner rather than later.
In the final sprint, Marc Wauters (Rabobank, L) takes second, while Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service - Berry Floor) finished fifth.
Marc Wauters (Rabobank) powers to the line for second place, with Fabrizio Guidi (Team CSC, R) finishing third.
Andrej Hauptman (Lampre) finished sixth today.
Bobby Julich (CSC) in the zone.
Stephan Schreck (T-Mobile Team) looking a little grubby.
The second group come into the finish in Landgraaf, 2'43 down.
Remco van der Ven (BankGiroLoterij) looks like he's ready to go home after a tough RVN.
Erik Dekker (Rabobank) a delighted winner. Now, where's that other podium girl got to...
Stage winner Erik Dekker (Rabobank) on the podium.
Green jersey winner Max van Heeswijk (US Postal Service - Berry Floor) continues a growing tradition, posing with his sons on the podium.
Maxime Monfort (Landbouwkrediet - Colnago) finished the race as best young rider.
Erik Dekker (Rabobank) tries on the orange jersey for size... looks like a perfect fit!
Race winner Erik Dekker (Rabobank) gives a wry grin, knowing the race could have gone either way today.
The winners of the various jersey classifications salute the crowd.

Images by Mani Wollner/www.foto-grafik-satz.de

Breakaway companions Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) and Marc Streel (Landbouwkrediet - Colnago) reaching the first sprint bonification, eight minutes ahead of the peloton.
With 15 riders separated by less than a minute on GC, the peloton sprint hard for the last bonification seconds.
Race leader Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) just seems to keep getting better.
The two leaders reach the highest point of this years Eneco Tour: 583 metres at Lammersdorf.
The peloton comes through, now eight and a half minutes behind.
The leaders cross the finish line for the first time.
US Postal/Berry Floor working hard in the peloton.
Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) dumps his breakaway companion and is on the way to a well-deserved stage win.
Marc Streel (Landbouwkrediet - Colnago) suffering from cramps.
Best young rider Dave Zabriskie (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) at the head of the peloton.
Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) takes out the fifth stage.
It's only for fourth place, but the sprint is on for young and old.
Stage winner Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo on the podium.
Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) defends his jersey for another day.
Max van Heeswijk (US Postal Service/Berry Floor), a happy leader of the points classification.
David Zabriskie (US Postal Service/Berry Floor), exhausted but elated to be best young rider.
Alain van Katwijk (BankGiroLoterij) retains his blue sprinter's jersey.

Images by Elmar Krings/www.rexite.de

Breakaway companions Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) and Marc Streel (Landbouwkrediet - Colnago).
With three laps to go, Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) and Marc Streel (Landbouwkrediet - Colnago) still enjoy a 1'30 advantage.
Saunier Duval - Prodir react to accelerations at the head of the peloton.
Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) and team-mate Erik Dekker keep themselves out of trouble at the front.
Race leader Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) ever attentive.
US Postal/Berry Floor at the head of the peloton.
The peloton accelerate out of a corner.
Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) stays close to the front.
Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) takes the stage.
David Zabriskie (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) leads the bunch home.
Manuel Quinziato (Lampre) jumped the peloton to take third place, with the bunch steaming down behind him.
The bunch gallop begins...
... and it's Max van Heeswijk (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) who takes out the bunch gallop for fourth.
Stage winner Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) on the podium.
Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) salutes the crowd.
Max van Heeswijk (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) grins in green.

Images by Mani Wollner/www.foto-grafik-satz.de

The bikes of the winning team, US Postal Service/Berry Floor.
Alex Zulle (Phonak) leaves the start gate in quite possibly his last race as a professional cyclist.
Bummer, dude - Leon van Bon (Lotto-Domo) finds he has a flat tyre even before he's started.
Floyd Landis (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) will have to ride the TT a little more aero than that.
Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) sets off for a race-winning ride.
Sergei Gonchar (De Nardi) was some way off his best, finishing in 17th place.
Bobby Julich (Team CSC) powers around a corner, riding to a top 10 finish.
Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) at full tilt.
Aart Vierhouten (Lotto-Domo) working hard.
Andrej Hauptman (Lampre) showing good form.
Remco van der Ven (BankGiroLoterij) isn't too far off the now-banned 'Superman' position.
Guennadi Mikhailov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) flying along the roads of Goch.
Erik Dekker (Rabobank) was the fastest Dutch rider, finishing in fifth place.
Manuel Quinziato (Lampre) battles the wind.
Yuri Mitlushenko (Landbouwkrediet - Colnago) gets his big thighs pumping.
Alain van Katwijk (BankGiroLoterij) riding through the fields.
Overnight leader Max van Heeswijk (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) relinquished the yellow jersey, but thankfully to his team-mate Viatcheslav Ekimov.

Images by Mani Wollner/www.foto-grafik-satz.de

Oops, running late...
Max van Heeswijk (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) about to throw a leg over his bike.
The weather didn't stay sunny for long.
Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) charges through the field in the finishing straight, escaping the pile-up behind him.
Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins the stage, arms akimbo.
Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) counts himself lucky in missing the crash.
Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) on the podium with German cycling legend, Rudi Altig.
Max van Heeswijk (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) keeps his leader's jersey for another day.
Eric Baumann (T-Mobile Team) wears the best young rider's jersey.
A happy Alain van Katwijk (BankGiroLoterij) in his fresh blue sprinter's jersey.