62nd Omloop Het Volk - 1.HC

Belgium, March 3, 2007

Photography

Race photos

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

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

Greg Van Avermaet (Predictor Lotto) on the cobbles
Jeremy Hunt (Unibet.com) got himself involved in early moves
Julian Dean (Credit Agricole)
Nico Mattan (DFL/Cyclingnews) worked near the front of the main group to give some of his younger teammates a chance to launch attacks.
Johan Van Summeren (Predictor Lotto) takes a pull
Phillipe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) got away with 40k to go but was brought back.
Tom Boonen said he gave it all he had but came up short in the finish at the 62nd running of Omloop Het Volk on Saturday.
Stuart O'Grady (CSC) and Juan Antonio Fleche (Rabobank) made a late-race move to get away that was thwarted by a chase group including Boonen (Quick Step) and eventual winner Filippo Pozzato (Liguigas).
Pozatto takes the season's first semi-classic
The remainder of the lead group fight for podium spots behind Pizatto
Boonen, Pozatto and Fleche receive accolades from the crowds in Lokeren
Pozatto gets to kiss the first trophy of the classics season
Pozatto put in a hard day at the office on Saturday

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews.com

O'Grady coming in... empty
Any comments Stuey? naaah
Baden Cooke had a great race but exploded during the last five kilometre
Baden Cooke is thirsty after his sixth place
Laurens Ten Dam isn't a specialist on the cobbles but now he knows he can do it
The podium of the Omloop Het Volk
Antonio Flecha on the podium of the Omloop Het Volk
Antonio Flecha on the podium of the Omloop Het Volk
Winner Filippo Pozzato
Bring it on!
The top-3 of the Omloop Het Volk 2007: Boonen, winner Pozzato and Flecha
The top-3 again: Boonen, winner Pozzato and Flecha
The podium of the Omloop Het Volk
Flecha looking rather tired
Pozzato is guided towards the press
Pozzato during the press conference, comfortable
Pozzato talking during the press conference

Images by AFP Photo

The last two men standing were Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) and Stuart O'Grady (Team CSC)
Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) to another big win, coming close to his 2006 Milano-Sanremo win.
Emotions are high for Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) after his win.
Unbelievable for Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas)
Flying the victory salute after winning Het Volk
Podium time for Boonen, Pozzato and Flecha
Enjoying the winnings ... Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas).

Images by Stijn Vercamer

The legs of former world champion Tom Boonen (Quickstep).
A massive crowed gathers at the start in Gent. Belgians love cycling, even when the weather is not that good.
Tom Boonen (Quickstep) interviewed before the start.
It's been a hard race for Geoffroy Lequatre (Cofidis).
Steven De Jongh (Quickstep) in the front of the peloton before Pozzato, Cretskens and Boonen
Gert Steegman staking the lead from Johan Vansummeren and Manuel Quinziato.
Steegmans (Quickstep) still leading in the front on the Valkenberg.
Belgian riders Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) and Niko Eeekhout (Chocolade Jacques)
Wilfried Cretskens (Quickstep) and Lazlo Bodrogi (Credit Agricole).
Pozzato on the way to the victory in the Omloop het Volk.

Start photos

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Gerard Knapp/Cyclingnews.com

Dan Fleeman from DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed was only slightly apprehensive before the start of his first Hors Categorie race, the 62nd Het volk. Last year the 24 year-old British rider raced for an elite-level French amateur team, but during the week in a reconnaissance ride of the HV parcours, experienced observers said he looked quite at home on the cobbles.
David Harrigan is one of the more experienced Australians on the DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed team and was looking forward to his first big hit-out.
Tasmanian Bernie Sulzberger looked perfectly at home in the wind and rain of the balmy Belgian morning prior to the start of the 2007 Het Volk. The young rider from Australia's 'apple isle' is not a complete stranger to these typical Belgian weather conditions.
Belgian rider and star DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed signing, Nico Mattan, was popular among the press at the start of the 2007 Het Volk. the local media has been quite generous in its coverage of the 'underdog' team, made up of riders from Australia, the UK and four other nations. Mattan will be the team's leader on the road and they will draw on his considerable experience from 14 yours a professional.
Despite the bleak weather, large crowds gathered to attend the start of the 62nd Het Volk in St Pietersplein, a large open square in Gent, Belgium. It was raining, strong gusty winds, but experienced locals all remarked, "it's not cold enough!" Indeed, their comment was more about the effects of global warming changing their normal weather, where the temperature would only be above zero. "This is just a shower," said one, "it's not really icey rain."
A CSC mechanic attends to some last minute adjustments to one of the Team CSC Cervelos.
Allan Johansen has some last-minute adjustments done to the handlebar position of his bicycle prior to the start of the 62nd Het Volk.
Team DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed mechanic, Mark Howard, tightens up the pedal retention on his Time pedals prior to the start. The young British rider expected to be really pulling on the pedals today.

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews.com

Nico Mattan is asked about his new team - DFL Cyclingnews
Aart Vierhouten is being asked where he found those stylish glasses
Niko 'Rambo' Eeckhout is the current Belgian champion, still looking like nice guy... for now
MTB'er Filip Meirhaeghe was also at the start in Gent
Wim De Vocht speeds towards the sign-on
Here's the man many people have been waiting for, Tom Boonen
Watch out Tom, they're trying to hit you with something!
Stijn Devolder is the team leader for the Discovery Channel team
You're blocking the road Tom... whatever, who cares
How hard is to do a good deed each day?
Leif Hoste probably explaining how relaxed he is... for now
And the winner in the category 'most media attention' is... Tom 'Tommeke' Boonen
Leif Hoste on the sign-on podium, doing something with his thumbs
The peloton gets ready to leave Gent
And off they go! Pozzato, down the right, didn't sign on.
Nick Nuyens typically leaves the start as last rider... superstition I guess
Lot's of wind and rain in Gent this morning

Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews.com

Astana bikes lined up and ready for a rough day.
Liquigas bikes ...The team is using Cannondales for 2007
Nico Mattan (DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed) discussing his form.
Nico Mattan (DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed) in his new team colours.
The crowd waits for Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas).
Rabobank bikes are nice Colnagos.