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89th Ronde van Vlaanderen - PT
Belgium, April 3, 2005
Main Page Results Live report ProTour standings
Flahute Fiesta! Tom Boonen wins Ronde Van Vlaanderen
By Tim Maloney, European Editor, with additional reporting from Jeff Jones
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Although he's usually known as a sprinter, 24 year-old Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) made an audacious solo move from a breakaway of six riders with 9km to go in today's 89th edition of the Tour of Flanders. Boonen's move stuck as the other riders in the escape were caught by surprise and hesitated to go after the talented young rider from Balen, near Antwerp. Boonen is a big, strong guy; 1m92cm tall and 80kg, so he wasn't going to just sneak away up the road. Hunched over his bike, the Quick.Step rider nicknamed "Staf" got a gap and then just rode vollgas (all out) to capture the biggest race of his four year professional cycling career.
"I knew I couldn't go to the finish with fast guy Zabel there still, he was so strong today," said Boonen after the finish. "Especially also because Klier and Van Petegem were with me; they would have killed me in the final kilometres. So I decided to take my chances and attacked. I don't quite grasp yet what's happened today, I will need some more time for it to sink in."
For a Belgian bike racer, there is only one race more important than the World Championship or the Tour De France: a victory in De Ronde Van Vlaanderen simply makes a career for a flahute (French cycling slang for a Belgian rider). But for Boonen, his win is a consecration. After a superb third place in Paris-Roubaix 2002 at 21 years-old on the US Postal squad, Belgium's greatest modern classics rider Johann Museeuw called Boonen "my successor". After today's performance, Johan may be right on the mark. Museeuw and Quick.Step director Patrick Lefevere convinced Boonen to leave US Postal and after a slow start in 2004, he exploded in 2004 with 24 wins, including Gent-Wevelgem and two Tour de France stage wins, including Paris Champs Elysées.
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Although he crashed earlier this week in the 3 Days of DePanne and got stitches in his hand, Boonen had shown that he was in form for the northern classics with a recent win in GP E3 Prijs Vlaanderen in Harelbeke eight days ago. For Boonen's main rival today, crafty, experienced 35 years old Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) there would be no hat trick. Already winner of Flanders in 1999 and 2003, De Peet is a consummate classics man, but a sickness earlier in the week at De Panne may have compromised the fitness of the Davitamon-Lotto rider. Although he led over the penultimate ascent of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, the opportunistic rider from Opbrakel seemed to lack the explosiveness of years past, but still ended up third on the podium.
"Without a doubt, the strongest rider won today," said Van Petegem after the finish. "Andreas Klier probably went a bit too early on the Bosberg and at the top he slowed. Then Tom reacted and I could hold on. When Tom went again, I couldn't anticipate it well and immediately the bird had flown. Still, I didn't exactly do nothing. On the Muur I went full-out once, and I wanted to reduce our group, but that didn't work because at the top we slowed down. And I was in the pincers, also because of the team tactics of T-Mobile. But if you win like Boonen here today, then you don't have to plan it. That was excellent."
"Can I win the Ronde van Vlaanderen a third time? Maybe if Boonen doesn't ride? No, I still have a contract until the end of 2007 and certainly want to have another crack at the prize that the Ronde van Vlaanderen definitely is."
In fact, the podium today was identical to last week's E3 Prijs, as Belgian-residing German Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) took second after attacking the chasing group in the closing kilometres. Klier admitted afterwards that he wasn't as strong as either Boonen or Van Petegem on the Bosberg. "It was a very difficult finale," he said. "No-one was still fresh. Actually I was the worst of the three. On the Bosberg I was nearly gone. When Tom went, no-one had an answer. Actually I'm happy that I could still finish second. But once again, it wasn't a win for T-Mobile, which seemed to have the numbers up front when Zabel attacked going into Brakel, then Klier bridged up on the Valkenburg, with Ivanov and Aldag in the next group. "But against Boonen today it was not possible. He was really the best."
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T-Mobile's team manger Walter Godefroot agreed. "We indeed were the best team in the race today and it's a pity we didn't get that first win of the season here, but it's no disgrace to get beaten today in that way. Boonen was super. Tactically we did everything right. Don't be fooled; the move by Ivanov - appearing to be chasing while Zabel and Klier were in the break - was calculated, he didn't close the gap at all. Overall we rode a great race."
Touted pre-race as one of the strongest teams on paper, the Discovery Channel pro cycling team had leader George Hincapie and emerging talent Stijn Devolder backed up today by none other than six-time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong. But Discovery missed the key move late in the race and a strong Hincapie could only manage 7th. Post-race, Discovery sports director Johan Bruyneel told Belgian TV tersely that "for the team, it was a big disappointment."
Bruyneel was positive about the performance of his team's superstar Armstrong in Flanders, explaining that, "Lance was into the race today...he was nervous beforehand and he showed he was in good form and motivated to race." After Flanders, Armstrong and his companion Sheryl Crow left for the USA, where Armstrong will prepare for the upcoming Tour de Georgia and his major press conference the day before on April 18. Hincapie and the rest of the Discovery Channel cycling team will be looking for revenge in Wednesday's Gent-Wevelgem and Sunday's Paris-Roubaix.
How it unfolded
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After a moment of silence to commemorate the death of Pope John Paul II, the 89th edition of the Tour of Flanders departed the Grote Markt in Brugge at 9:40am on a warm, sunny spring morning. 196 riders started today, with some notable absences such as World Champion Oscar Freire (Rabobank), who was suffering from both saddle sores and flu. Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) wasn't there either, as the Italian classics specialist has come down with mononucleosis. ProTour leader Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) had never planned to race at Flanders, so no rider took the start wearing the ProTour leader's jersey.
With a huge crowd estimated at 1 million spectators enjoying the warm, sunny day, the Tour of Flanders parcours heads west from Brugge to the North Sea coast at Oostende, then southeast to Kortrijk and Oudenaarde, then weaved its way east through the climbs of the "Vlaamse Ardennen" hills where the first of the 17 climbs of the venerable race begins after 143 km.
After the first two hours of racing and 95km, a seven man break managed to get clear outside of Kortrijk. The riders were Magnus Bäckstedt (Liquigas), David Boucher (Mr.Bookmaker), Samuele Marzoli (Lampre-Cafitta), who had replaced the out of shape Dario Pieri, sent home by team management after dropping out of the 3 Days of De Panne. There was miniscule Francis Mourey (FDJ), Tino Zaballa (Saunier Duval-Prodir) and Carlos Barredo (Liberty). Just after the first feed zone in Harelbeke, last year's Flanders winner Flanders Steffen Wesemann abandoned.
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As the break reached climb #1, Molenberg, their lead was 4'30, with Marzoli struggling. The Italian was dropped on climb #2, Wolvenberg as Bäckstedt was pounding hard in the break, perhaps trying to get a workout for next Sunday's Paris-Roubaix. At the now six rider escape hit the Oude Kwaremont with 86km to go, Bäckstedt's tempo blew Mourey and Boucher out the back, while the recently in-form Nico Eeckhout (Chocolade Jacques) abandoned in the peloton. Boucher chopped his back on to the break before the steep Paterberg, but he was soon out the back again.
Once over the top of the Kwaremont, it was onto Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat and a ride past the monument to the founder of the Ronde, Karel van Wijnendaele. The gap between the break was still hovering around 4'00, and on the next climb of the Koppenberg, climb #5, Zaballa attacked the break with 74km to race. Quick Step's Cretskens was still riding hard tempo on the front of the peloton, but then Klier and Flecha moved to the front and this surge formed a front group of 20 chasers, with 0'10 back to a big chase group of 50 riders which struggled up the steep cobbles of the Koppenberg.
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At the second feed zone on the N60 just before climb #6, Steenbeekdries with 70km to race, the gap to the four front runners was down to only 1'40, with Swiss champ Gregory Rast (Phonak) and Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) on the attack. Boucher didn't get back on this time, so on Steenbeekdries, then the flat cobbles of the Mariaborrestraat, it was Zaballa who took the points atop Steenbeekdries. Next climb, #7 Taaienberg, the break still had 1'30 and the Quick.Step led peloton just sucked up the move by the German and Swiss riders. Zaballa continued to rack up the points. With 60km to race, Zaballa grabbed the points once again on climb #8 of Eikenberg. In the chase group, rockin' Russian Ivanov (T-Mobile) and race favourite Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) were pounding hard on the front.
On climb #9, Boigneberg, big Bäckstedt came off the back, while Barredo and Zaballa rode on. In the chase group, T-Mobile seemed frustrated by Quick.Step and Davitamon-Lotto's stranglehold on the race. Erik Zabel attacked again, but Dutch champ Erik Dekker (Rabobank) covered his move, as did O'Grady (Cofidis). Maggie finally gave up the ghost on the next climb, #10 of Foreest with 50km to go just as Zaballa made his move and dropped Barredo for good. Behind, T-Mobile sprung Marcus Burghardt on Foreest who got a gap, but right behind the German, lanky Italian Alessandro Ballan, who won Stage 1 of De Panne last week made a major surge and bridged across to Burghardt, who absorbed Bäckstedt and Barredo. At the top of Foreest, with 45km to go, Ballan went again and quickly got across to the race leader Tino Zaballa. As the front duo hit the top of climb #11, Steenberg, after 209km of racing, Ballan and Zaballa had 0'45 on the Quick.Step led peloton.
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Next up was Leberg, climb #12 where the front duo's lead was down to 0'30 and the chase group caught Bäckstedt, Barredo and Burghardt. Up front, Ballan accelerated hard on the Berendries, the 13th climb of the Ronde and it was bad luck for Tino, as the Italian blew past him. Half a minute behind Ballan, Karsten Kroon (Rabobank) tried to jump away and bridge to the Italian, as Discovery Channel decided to flex their muscles on Berendries. Kroon came back while Lance Armstrong was pounding away on the front, with George Hincapie and Slava Ekimov sitting just behind. Ballan was riding brilliantly up front with 35km to go as he approached the 14th climb of the day of Valkenberg. The Lampre-Cafitta man had gained almost 1'00, and no one was going after him...yet.
On the descent into Brakel, Zabel attacked again and got a gap with Petito (Fassa Bortolo) and this duo caught the fading Zaballa, who managed to hang on to the counter-attackers for a moment before climb #14, Valkenberg. Suddenly from the chase group, Boonen, Klier and Van Petegem attacked and bridged across to Petito and Zabel. This decisive counter move suddenly turned into a dangerous situation for Discovery Channel, who were put on the defensive as neither Hincapie nor Devolder had made it up front with 30km to go. Ballan was caught one kilometre later and this sextet were riding flat out. From that point on, the Tour of Flanders was over for the rest of the riders.
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Armstrong was still riding hard on the front with the six front runners just 0'25 up the road, but Davitamon-Lotto, Quick.Step and Fassa Bortolo were just not cooperating. The gap between the six escapees and the Discovery Channel-led chasers was steady at 0'30 over climb #15, Tenbosse. On the slight downhill, fast 10km between the base of the Tenbosse and climb #16, the almost always decisive Muur van Geraardsbergen, Discovery Channel knew it was almost their last chance to bring the break back, but despite their best efforts, Davitamon-Lotto, Quick.Step and Fassa Bortolo smothered any effort to regain the leaders. At 20km to go and with the wooded hill of Geraardsbergen looming, the lead break had gained time on the chasers and was now 0'50 ahead. Clearly the move of the day, the sextet had two T-Mobile riders as well as Belgians Van Petegem and Boonen, and opportunistic Italians Ballan and Petito.
At the penultimate climb of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, the Muur van Geraardsbergen began, Boonen moved to the front in the town square with cagey Van Petegem right on his wheel. Van Petegem then made his move on the steep section of the Kapelmuur, but couldn't shake Klier and Boonen. Gussev (CSC), Hincapie (Discovery Channel) and Flecha (Fassa Bortolo) were leading the chase 1'00 behind. Petito and Zabel were dumped, but then came back on the front group on the descent.
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As the final ascent of the day, climb #17 of the Bosberg approached with 13km to race, the nerves jacked up in the break while the chasers kept coming behind. Klier attacked first, but Boonen was right there. Van Petegem was waiting behind, while Zabel was clearly suffering. Then Boonen attacked over the top, while Van Petegem, Klier and Ballan came back to him. Finally Petito chased back with Zabel right on his wheel, while the chasers were at 0'50.
With 10km to go, there were still six riders together as the finish in Meerbeke approached. Klier kept pace high for a kilometre of so, and when he slacked off, Van Petegem went hard to test the rest. Boonen countered Van Petegem with 9km left and the Davitamon-Lotto rider looked back to the T-Mobile riders to chase. But they all just looked as Boonen flew the coop. The Quick.Step man quickly gained 50 meters on the rest, as no-one in the break expected Boonen to make a solo move. The young Belgian had turned the tables on T-Mobile with 7km to go, while Klier and Zabel were chasing desperately and even the opportunistic two-time winner Van Petegem had joined the pursuit.
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With 5km, the Ronde became a nail biter with Boonen just 0'10 ahead of the chasers. But the five chasers couldn't get past looky-loo, while Boonen made the most important solo move on his career stick. Boonen made the right turn onto Halsesteenweg in Meerbeke with enough time to sit up, raise his hands over his head in triumph and savor the sweet taste of success, the sweetest race of all for a Belgian. T-Mobile's Klier dumped the rest to solo in for second, improving on his sixth place in 2004, but was once again runner-up to Boonen as he was a week ago in Harelbeke. Van Petegem won the sprint for third to take the final podium spot, while George Hincapie won the sprint from the chasing group for 7th, 1'40 behind Boonen. Even though the American improved on his 10th place in last year's Flanders, Hincapie shook his head in disappointment as he crossed the finish line in Meerbeke.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us
- The crowds were thick at the start in the old town of Brugge.
- The group sets out for the long day ahead.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) shows some tan lines from perhaps some secret training.
- Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas-Bianchi) leads the break heading onto the Boigneberg.
- Leon van Bon (Davitamon-Lotto) does some work trying to bring the front group back.
- Marc Lotz (Quick.Step) worked hard today to set up teammate Tom Boonen.
- Peter Wrolich (Gerolsteiner) puts the pressure on to catch the lead group.
- Roger Hammond (Discovery) couldn't quite get going today.
- Lars Michaelsen (CSC) catches back up after having a mechanical on an earlier climb.
- After eight climbs the field was split into smaller groups.
- Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) attacked several times for the win.
- George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) managed a 7th place for his efforts today.
- Erik Dekker (Rabobank) leads a chase group several minutes back on the Boonen/Van Petegem group.
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) finishes off the day 28th after having done a lot of work.
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- There were many people at the start in Brugge
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) at the start
- Quick.Step was the team to beat today
- The peloton on the Molenberg
- The peloton on the Molenberg
- The race is over for these two
- Andrea Tafi (Saunier Duval) on the Paterberg
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) next to Hushovd on the Kwaremont
- Where's everybody gone?
- Slava Ekimov leads Lance and George
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) and teammate George Hincapie
- Boonen and Van Petegem lead the break on the Muur
- Van Petegem leads Boonen on the Muur
- Van Petegem leads Klier and Boonen
- Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) a little way off Boonen and PVP on the Muur
- Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) digs deep
- Klier and Ballan at the top of the Muur
- Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) on the Muur
- George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) struggles on the Muur
- Lance on the Muur
- Thomas Vaitkus (Ag2r) on the Muur
- Marc Lotz (Quick.Step) looks for an easier way
- Serious pain
- Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) on the Muur
- The crowd on the Muur
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) steps on the gas on the Bosberg, causing pain
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) gives them the look on the Bosberg
- Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) struggles to hold them on the Bosberg
- Erik Dekker (Rabobank) did not have a great day
- Armstrong on the Bosberg
- Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) looking great
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) had a great ride for fourth
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) wins the Ronde Van Vlaanderen
- Yes!! Boonen celebrates his win
- Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) wins the sprint for third
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) after the finish
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is congratulated by his girlfriend Lorre
- Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) interviewed afterwards
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is the man today
- The podium (L to R): Andreas Klier (2nd), Tom Boonen (1st) and Peter Van Petegem (3rd)
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) kisses the RVV trophy
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) lifts the trophy
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) had a good ride in Flanders
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) suffers on the Koppenberg
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) on the Bosberg, work done
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) puts the boot into Klier on the Muur
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) solo, heading for the win
- The podium (L to R): Andreas Klier (2nd), Tom Boonen (1st) and Peter Van Petegem (3rd)
Images by Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com
- Lots of folk came to watch the start
- The scene in Brugge
- The crowd at the start in Brugge
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is ready
- Leif Hoste and George Hincapie with presenter Michel Wuyts at the start
- Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) with presenter Michel Wuyts at the start
- Erik Dekker (Rabobank) eats a taartje before the sign on
- Dekker spotted this girl in the crowd
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) is a wanted man
- Erik Dekker (Rabobank) lines up for the start
- Erik Dekker (Rabobank) catches up on the news, 1 minute before start time
Images by Luc Claessen/www.actiefotos.com
- Alessandro Ballan (Lampre)
- Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) is ready
- Laszlo Bodrogi (Credit Agricole)
- Hayden Roulston (Discovery Channel)
- Joerg Ludewig (Domina Vacanze)
- Rafael Nuritdinov (Domina Vacanze)
- Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo)
- Fabio Baldato (Fassa Bortolo) with hair akimbo
- Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) had a great day
- George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) with the race face on
- George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) happy at the start
- Gorik Gardeyn (Mr Bookmaker) at the start
- Jakob Piil (CSC) looks a little tired
- James Vanlandschoot (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) a little nervous
- Johan Verstrepen (Landbouwkrediet) wonders what's in store
- Juan Antonio Flecha (Fassa Bortolo) ready to go
- Kevin Hulsmans (Quick.Step) is a valuable man for Boonen
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) tries to get through
- Leif Hoste (Discovery) rides to the start
- Ludo!!!!!
- Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) ready for a big one
- Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) looking focused
- Max van Heeswijk (Discovery) is back in action
- Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) bright eyed, as usual
- Nick Nuyens (Quick.Step) is cheery
- Nico Mattan (Davitamon-Lotto) at the start
- Slava Ekimov ready for a big day at the wheel
- Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) interviewed
- Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) looking happy
- Stijn Devolder (Discovery) looking upbeat
- Old warriors Andrea Tafi and Peter Van Petegem
- Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues) was happy at the start
- Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) smiles at the start
- Marcus Burghardt (T-Mobile) at the start
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) has the full attention of the media
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) signs autographs
- Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) signs autographs
- 2004 Ronde winner Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) talks to Jean-Marie Pfaff and Michel Wuyts
- Young and old fans at the Ronde
- Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) rolls out for the start
- The passage through Gistel
- Saunier Duval driving it through Gistel
- The peloton on some of that unphotogenic tarmac stuff
- A Saunier Duval mechanic works on a riders' bike after a crash. Hope that leg got some attention too!
- A Cofidis rider gives chase.
- Tom Boonen as seen by a local cartoonist!
- Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) animated the closing stages of the race
- Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) on the Eine cobbles
- Antonio Cruz (Discovery) rides the Eine cobbles
- Rolf Aldag (T-Mobile) on the Eine pave
- More Eine action
- More Eine action
- T-Mobile to the front at Eine
- Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) at Eine
- Daniel Becke (Illes Balears)
- Bert Grabsch (Phonak)
- Crossing the Eine pave
- David Herrero Llorente (Euskaltel-Euskadi) at Eine
- The cobbles at Mater await the riders
- Jan Boven (Rabobank) at Mater
- Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) on the Mater cobbles
- The peloton in hot pursuit
- The lead group at Mater
- Backstedt leads on the Mater cobbles
- Concentrating on keeping rubber side down
- Wim de Vocht (Davitamon-Lotto) takes the gutter option on the Koppenberg
- The leaders climb the Kopppenberg
- Laurent Brochard (Bouygues Telecom) looking strong on the koppenberg
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) on the Koppenberg
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) on the Koppenberg
- Mark Scanlon (Ag2R Prevoyance) on the Koppenberg
- Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner) climbs the Koppenberg
- Photographer dodging on Koppenberg
- David Boucher (Mrbookmaker.Com-Sports Tech) on the Koppenberg
- Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) leads Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Liberty Seguros) on the Koppenberg
- Spectators cheer the riders up the Bosberg
- Battling up the Bosberg
- Leif Hoste (Discovery) toils up the Bosberg
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) climbs the Bosberg
- Lance Armstrong (Discovery) climbs the Bosberg
Images by Matt Conn
- Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) leads the break across he stones at Mater
- Quickstep and Dicovery Channel take things in hand after the top of the Oude Kwaremont
- Cornering at the bottom of Taaineberg (km 190)
- Nicola Loda (Bianchi) leads a small chase group at the bottom of the Taaienberg.
- Discovery Channel helpers take to the fields at the top of Foreest (km 206)
- Klier (T-Mobile), Armstrong (Discovery) and Van Bon (Lotto) on the way to the Steenberg (km 207)
Images by Roger Thomas
- Anthony Geslin and Bouygues Telecom teammate talk to friends on the way to the sign-in
- British champion Roger Hammond (Discovery Channel) chews the fat with Engish fans before the sign-in
- All together at Turhout (km 42) but a Saunier-Duval rider is getting frisky
Results - 256 km
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 6.22.00 (40.2 km/h) 2 Andreas Klier (Ger) T-Mobile Team 0.35 3 Peter Van Petegem (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto 0.40 4 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile Team 5 Roberto Petito (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 6 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre-Caffita 7 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 1.42 8 Leon Van Bon (Ned) Davitamon-Lotto 9 Serguei Ivanov (Rus) T-Mobile Team 10 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Team CSC 11 Karsten Kroon (Ned) Rabobank 12 Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Fassa Bortolo 13 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Française Des Jeux 2.04 14 Fabio Baldato (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 15 Allan Johansen (Den) Team CSC 16 Stuart O'grady (Aus) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 17 Nico Mattan (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto 18 Mirko Celestino (Ita) Domina Vacanze 19 Bert De Waele (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago 20 Marcus Ljungqvist (Swe) Liquigas-Bianchi 21 Nick Nuyens (Bel) Quick Step 22 Frédéric Guesdon (Fra) Française Des Jeux 23 Leif Hoste (Bel) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 24 Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 25 Bert Grabsch (Ger) Phonak Hearing Systems 26 Marc Lotz (Ned) Quick Step 27 Rolf Aldag (Ger) T-Mobile Team 28 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 29 Frank Hoj (Den) Gerolsteiner 3.25 30 Constantin Zaballa Gutierrez (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 31 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole 32 Marcus Zberg (Swi) Gerolsteiner 4.32 33 Staf Scheirlinckx (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 34 Martin Elmiger (Swi) Phonak Hearing Systems 35 Stijn Devolder (Bel) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 36 Uros Murn (Slo) Phonak Hearing Systems 6.25 37 Lars Michaelsen (Den) Team CSC 38 Wilfried Cretskens (Bel) Quick Step 39 Aart Vierhouten (Ned) Davitamon-Lotto 40 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 41 Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth Team 42 Inigo Landaluze Intxaurraga (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 43 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Quick Step 44 Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner 45 Geert Verheyen (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago 46 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Rabobank 47 Mathew Hayman (Aus) Rabobank 48 Bram Tankink (Ned) Quick Step 49 Christophe Detilloux (Bel) Française Des Jeux 50 Gianluca Bortolami (Ita) Lampre-Caffita 51 David Canada Gracia (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 52 Roger Hammond (GBr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 53 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre-Caffita 54 Luke Roberts (Aus) Team CSC 55 Marc Wauters (Bel) Rabobank 56 Viatcheslav Ekimov (Rus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 57 Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Ag2r Prevoyance 6.40 58 Peter Wrolich (Aut) Gerolsteiner 7.40 59 Franck Renier (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 9.52 60 Aketza Pena Iza (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 61 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas-Bianchi 10.21 62 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fassa Bortolo 63 Stephan Schreck (Ger) T-Mobile Team 64 Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Quick Step 65 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) T-Mobile Team 66 Alexandre Usov (Blr) Ag2r Prevoyance 10.26 67 Johan Coenen (Bel) Mrbookmaker.com-Sports Tech 11.40 68 Kristof Trouve (Bel) Mrbookmaker.com-Sports Tech 69 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir 70 Grégory Rast (Swi) Phonak Hearing Systems 13.19 71 Laurent Brochard (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 72 Ralf Grabsch (Ger) Team Wiesenhof 73 Mirco Lorenzetto (Ita) Domina Vacanze 74 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) Credit Agricole 75 Rafael Nuritdinov (Uzb) Domina Vacanze 76 Aurélien Clerc (Swi) Phonak Hearing Systems 77 Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun) Credit Agricole 78 Andrus Aug (Est) Fassa Bortolo 79 Matej Jurco (Svk) Domina Vacanze 80 Mauro Gerosa (Ita) Liquigas-Bianchi 81 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Credit Agricole 82 Ignacio Gutierrez Cataluna (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 83 Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) Rabobank 84 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir 85 Erwin Thijs (Bel) Mrbookmaker.com-Sports Tech 86 Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Team CSC 87 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 88 Pieter Ghyllebert (Bel) Chocolade Jacques-T Interim 89 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner 90 David Boucher (Fra) Mrbookmaker.com-Sports Tech 91 Christophe Mengin (Fra) Française Des Jeux 92 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Ag2r Prevoyance 93 Wim De Vocht (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto 94 Gianluca Sironi (Ita) Liquigas-Bianchi 95 Matthé Pronk (Ned) Mrbookmaker.com-Sports Tech 96 Erki Pütsep (Est) Ag2r Prevoyance 97 Johan Verstrepen (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago 98 Jan Boven (Ned) Rabobank 99 Wesley Van Der Linden (Bel) Chocolade Jacques-T Interim 100 Kevin Van Impe (Bel) Chocolade Jacques-T Interim Starters: 196 Classified: 100 Teams 1 T-Mobile Team 15 pts 2 Davitamon-Lotto 28 3 Fassa Bortolo 31 4 Quick Step 48 5 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 58 6 Team Csc 62 7 Rabobank 81 8 Française Des Jeux 84 9 Phonak Hearing Systems 95 10 Gerolsteiner 105 11 Lampre - Caffita 109 12 Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 136 13 Saunier Duval - Prodir 150 14 Landbouwkrediet - Colnago 161 15 Liquigas-Bianchi 161 16 Domina Vacanze 166 17 Bouygues Telecom 170 18 Credit Agricole 182 19 Ag2R Prevoyance 215 20 Mrbookmaker - Sportstech 220 21 Chocolade Jacques - T Interim 287 ProTour standings after round 4 1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 93 pts 2 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank 78 3 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Gerolsteiner 70 4 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 62 5 Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC 50 6 Andreas Klier (Ger) T-Mobile Team 41 7 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne 41 8 Peter Van Petegem (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto 35 9 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 35 10 Fabrizio Guidi (Ita) Phonak Hearing Systems 35 11 Constantino Zaballa Gutierrez (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 35 12 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole 35 13 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 31 14 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile Team 30 15 Stuart O'grady (Aus) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 30 16 Roberto Petito (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 25 17 Jörg Jaksche (Ger) Liberty Seguros-Würth Team 25 18 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas-Bianchi 25 19 Laurent Brochard (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 25 20 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre-Caffita 20 21 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Française Des Jeux 20 22 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 15 23 Angel Vicioso Arcos (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth Team 15 24 Leon Van Bon (Ned) Davitamon-Lotto 10 25 Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto 10 26 Marcus Zberg (Swi) Gerolsteiner 10 27 Serguei Ivanov (Rus) T-Mobile Team 5 28 José Angel Gomez Marchante (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 5 29 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Credit Agricole 5 30 Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Team CSC 1 31 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fassa Bortolo 1 32 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner 1 33 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Lampre-Caffita 1 34 Servais Knaven (Ned) Quick Step 1 35 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank 1 36 Manuele Mori (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir 1 37 Vicente Reynes Mimo (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne 1
