61st Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne - 1.1

Belgium, March 2, 2008

Photography

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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Steven De Jongh profited from a super strong Quick Step performance to take his second career victory in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
De Jongh beat Rabobank youngster Sebastian Langeveld across the line.
Not your average winner's trophy but it gets a kiss nonetheless...
Somewhere in there is the World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step).
Bettini wasn't happy about crashing after just 9km, but fortunately his injuries weren't serious.
The Italian was taken to hospital as a precaution but is expected to resume training tomorrow.
Matthew Goss (Team CSC) wins the group sprint for third; a great replace for the young Aussie.

Images by AFP Photo

The podium in Kuurne (l-r): Sebastian Langeveld (Rabobank), Steven De Jongh (Quick Step) and Matthew Goss (Team CSC).
Nicolas Jalabert (Agritubel) crashed twice today and still finished in the top 10.
Steven De Jongh (Quick Step) celebrates his first victory of 2008.

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews.com

No riders yet at the hippodrome in Kuurne, but the fans could watch some cartoons from Nesten.
The first riders arrive at the sign-on in Kuurne.
At the start in Kuurne: Cadel Evans drawn by Nesten.
At the start in Kuurne: Robbie McEwen drawn by Nesten - in reality McEwen cancelled his participation for Kuurne.
Local boy Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) arrived in Kuurne with Gorik Gardeyn (Silence-Lotto)..
The last Belgian Tour de France winner Lucien Van Impe; he is now manager in the Willems Veranda team.
'Meatball' Michael Friedman (Slipstream Chipotle - H30) has a special plate on his bike.
Johnny Weltz talked a little with Cyclingnews about his team's performance.
Waiting for your heroes, sometimes it takes a while.
The local brass band playing Makin' some noise.
Steven Cozza (Slipstream Chipotle - H30) is becoming a popular man in Flanders.
Markus Eichler (Team Milram) finished 14th in the Omloop Het Volk despite a little cold.
Wim De Vocht (Silence-Lotto) became father of daughter Gitte on Tuesday.
Jimmy Casper (Agritubel) is back on the bike after his crash in Gent-Wevelgem last year.
Tom Boonen (Quick Step) took his time to sign autographs and have a talk with the press.
Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) is always one of the last riders to leave for the start.
And off they go for a trip to Brussels, and back.
Steven Cozza takes a turn from Jimmy Casper in the chase behind the breakaway.
Bobbie Traksel claimed seventh place in the sprint for third, finishing as first non-ProTour rider.
Karsten Kroon finished eighth in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and should be ready for the Spring Classics.
Leif Hoste had an eye on the victory today, but Get Steegmans brought him back in the final kilometres.
Sergey Ivanov pulled off a 'chasse patat', he tried to bridge up with the leaders who were 50" further up the road but was blown back a little later.

Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews.com

Steven Cozza (Slipstream Chipotle - H30) made the escape of the day and then finished well for the USA team.
Frederik Willems (Liquigas) animated the finale.
Steven De Jongh (Quick Step) explains how he won the race for a second time.
Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) attacked in the finale but was marked by Quick Step.

Images by Nicolas Götz/www.sport-phot.com

Geert Omloop (Mitsubichi-Jartazi) feels the pressure...
Niki Terpstra (Team Milram) before the start.
Gorik Gardeyn (Silence-Lotto) before the start.
World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) seems happy on the start line under a sunny sky.
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) on the start line.
Maarten Wynants and his team Quick-Step attacking on the Kwarémont.
Stijn Devolder (Quick-Step) just behind Marteen Wynants at the head of the peloton.
All seems OK for Tom Boonen behind Devolder and Wynants in the Kwarémont.
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank ) in the Kwaremont.
It's seems hard for Roy Sentjens (Silence-Lotto) on the Kwaremont.
Roger Hammond (High Road) on the Kwarémont.