Tour of Belgium - 2.1

Belgium, May 24-28, 2006

Photography

Stage 5 - May 28: Hoei-Putte, 182.7 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Gert Steegmans (Davitamon-Lotto) takes the final stage from Max Van Heeswijk (Discovery Channel) and Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic)
• The jersey winners - Marlon Alirio Perez Arango (Tenax Salmilano, sprints), Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano, overall), Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic, points)
• The GC podium - Sébastien Rosseler (Quickstep-Innergetic, 2nd), Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano, 1st) and Max Van Heeswijk (Discovery Channel, 3rd)
• No more "Maarten who?" - the Skil-Shimano rider put himself on the map with a strong defence of the leader jersey he took on the first stage.

Stage 4 - May 27: Londerzeel-Hoei, 203.6 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Niki Terpstra (Ubbink-Syntec) wins the fourth stage ahead of Nico Sijmens (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) and Nick Nuyens (Quickstep-Innergetic)
• Niki Terpstra (Ubbink-Syntec) celebrates his stage win.
• Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano) opens the bubbly on tehpodium after another day's successful defence of his leader jersey.

Stage 2 - May 25: Oostende-Knokke Heist, 180.5 km

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Images by Luc Claessen/www.ctm-images.com

• Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano) with commentator Michel Wuyts
• Hoste and Devolder signing in
• Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano) at the start
• There's the king: Tom Boonen
• Australian champion Will Walker (Rabobank)
• The peloton leaves Oostende
• The early break
• Nico Mattan (Davitamon) corners
• The chasing group
• Niko Eeckhout (Chocolade Jacques) the European Continental Tour leader
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) in the peloton
• Quick.Step lead the pursuit
• The leaders on the Belgian coast
• The Skil-Shimano team leading the bunch
• Tony Bracke
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) makes no mistake
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) celebrates his win in Knokke
• Francesco Planckaert (Jartazi) suffers while finishing
• The Boonen show goes on
• C'mon crowd let's hear it!
• Let's spoil some champagne
• Race leader Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano)

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews.com

• Some riders in the early break
• The sprint in Knokke
• Tom Boonen freewheeling to victory
• Boonen celebrating his victory
• Francesco Planckaert is building on his good shape
• Australian champion
• Boonen is having a joke with some friends in the crowd
• No champagne, but Primus beer for the winner in Belgium
• Miss Belgium Beauty Céline Du Caju looks impressed by Tommeke
• The grandparents of Tom Boonen are celebrating along with Tom
• Maarten Tjalingii will still be wearing his leader's jersey tomorrow
• Marlon Alirio Perez Arango struggling with the beer
• Tom Boonen is enjoying the assistance of a tour miss
• This Tom Boonen-fan was happy to receive his gifts

Stage 1 - May 24: Oostende-Oostende, 180.9 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano) solos in to the finish after taking the chance to escape at the last sprint.
• Maarten Tjallingii (Skil-Shimano) takes a surprise win in the first stage of the Tour of Belgium