53st Omloop Het Volk, Cat 1.1

• 1997 Results
• Preview
• Route
• Past Winners
• Complete Starting List
• Live Coverage and Results

Preview

Saturday Preview

The cycling machine is coming the way of Wim Van Herreweghe, the organiser and co-ordinator of the Omloop Het Volk as well as the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders). He has been busy for months - telephone cals, plans, meetings, decisions. "The Omloop Het Volk is smaller than the Tour, but I have no less work do to for it." said Van Herreweghe. "The Tour is a World Cup event and thus there are a larger number of teams competing and approaching us. For the Omloop we must contract all the teams ourselves, and do the negotiations and hassling with them about coming. A lot of nerve racking work. And not good business. Make sure you write that we have outlaid approximately 2 million Belgian franks to get the starting field on board."

"A lot of money? Yes, but that is not the end of it. For each of the towns where the race passes, and on Saturday that is some 40 towns, we must have people on all sorts of corners and open spaces giving directions and making the circuit secure. On Saturday there will be almost 8 hundred helpers. We pay each of them around 200-250 BF [Bill notes: Pitiful pay - have they a union?]. Further, there is prize money of BF559,000, reimbursement to the Cycling Federation, a lot of printed matter, and direct TV broadcast (BF500,000), and repayment to the active supporters. Plus the advertising space for the newspapers to provide the sponsors with the coverage they desire. So by the end of it we are up for 6 or 7 million BF." [Bill notes: They didn't take advantage of www.cyclingnews.com's cheap rates!]

"But the Omloop is being televised directly on Belgian, French and Dutch TV. There are camera teams from the German ZDF and a Danish TV station is making a video for the USA. That convinces out sponsors to provide the budget. But not all of it. The daily newspaper Het Volk, pays a large amount to close the hole. But publicitly for a business is never free."

Flu in the peloton. That was the opening line in the Dutch newspaper, de Telegraaf today in its article on Het Volk. Around 30 per cent of the peloton are in the grip of the flu. Former World Champion Johan Museeuw, for example, was suffering badly on Thursday with a fever, but will start today in the 53rd Omloop Het Volk, the traditional opening race of the classic season.

Jo Planckaert will be the great withdrawal from the start in Gent. The winner of the Etoile de Bessèges is off the bike with a knee injury. With the absence of Planckaert, Peter van Petegem has less on his plate in his aspirations to win the race. The experienced TVM rider thinks of this race as his. Next to the Belgian in Cees Priem's TVM camp are names like Knaven, Capiot and Michaelsen. The Rabobank team has Van Bon and Sörensen with a sense of responsibility. Team leader Theo de Rooy: "McEwen and Van Heeswijk have started the season in a winning manner. They can now hope to be there in the finale."

The circuit of the Omloop Het Volk has been slightly modified this year. Around 25 per cent of the 202 km long semi-classic has been changed and the Patersberg, one of the 11 hills has been added.

Route

St.-Pietersplein - Kunstlaan - left Ch. De Kerckhovelaan - right into K.V. Rijsselberghedreef - LAH E. Clauslaan - 2x intersection straight on Krijgslaan - at the rotonda of the Sterre LAH direction Oudenaarde - N60 - Oudenaardsestweg (bridge over Ringvaart + E40)

Gent - Official Start
Third intersection (after bridge) - 0 km - 11.45
De Pinte
2x intersection straight on N60 Rijksweg bridge over E17 - 2 kms - 11.48
Nazareth
Eke - 2x roundabout, straight on Nieuwe Stweg intersection straight on N60
Zingem
2x intersection straight on Gentsebaan N60 Gentsestweg N60 - 8 kms - 11.57
Oudenarde
roundabout straight on Westerring N60 - 12 kms - 12.03
Right direction Avelgem N453 - Minnebroederstraat - 19 kms - 12.13
Intersection right N453 - Minnebroederstraat
Wortegem - Petegem
Petegem at the Schelde - straight on - N453 - Kortrijkstraat - 21 kms - 12.16
Province West-Vlaanderen - Avelgem
churchhove - straight on N 453 Oudenaardsestweg, roundabout straight on N8 Oudenaardsestweg - 28 kms - 12.26
Waarmaarde - straight on N8 Oudenaardsestweg, left direction "Ruien" Ruggestraat - bridge over Schelde LA
Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen - Kluisbergen
Ruien - Avelgemstraat - 33 kms - 12.32
Right Kapellestraat railway, left + right Wuipelstraat - RAH Buissestraat, RAH Bergstraat
1st climb: Kluisberg - 35 kms - 12.35
Provincie Henegouwen - Mont de l'Enclus
Orroir
T - right Enclus du Haut - straight on rue Résistants, T - left Ch. de La Libération - 36 kms - 12.36
T left Place d'Orroir, Amougies - straight on rue Couture du Moulin, T - left, church + RAH Place, d'Amougies - 38 kms - 12.39
Ruisseignies - straight on Ch. du Moulin, left rue Labroye, rue de Trieu
2nd climb: Cote de Trieu - 42 kms - 12.45
Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen - Kluisbergen
Kwaremont - straight on - Knokstraat, right Drogenbroodstraat - T - LA Ronde v. Vlaanderenstraat
T left N36 Ronsebaan !!!!! for city centre, Berchem - Stationstraat - 44 kms - 12.48
Right over the railway - Parklaan, right bridgegestraat - intersection RA Broektestraat - 46 kms - 12.51
Kwaremont - straight on Kwaremontplein - Schilderstraat
3rd climb: Oude Kwaremont - 49 kms - 12.55
LAH + (2800m cobbles)
T left Ronsebaan N36 - intersection La Lamontstraat, Left Kalkhovenstraat - 2nd LAH Middenloopstraat, right Patersbergstraat
4th climb: Patersberg - 52 kms - 12.59
T right Lamontstraat, intersection left Tenbroekestraat - LAH Dalstraat, Zulzeke - T right Driesstraat - Platuise, RAH Zulzekestraat - church - Hoogberstraat
Ronse
T left Zandstraat - Kruisstraat N42, intersection straight on Ommegangstraat N425 (alongside the N60b) - 59 kms - 13.09
Maarkedal
Nuchurche - straight on Ommegangstraat N425 - 62 kms - 13.14
Etikhove - straight on Steenweg to Schorisse - church - 63 kms - 13.16
Schorisse - intersection right (Wolfsgat) -Koekamerstraat - 65 kms - 13.19
Provincie Henegouwen - Ellezelles
Flobecq, intersection left (Quatre Vents) direction "Brakel" N48, 200m right direction. "Flobecq" N520 - 67 kms - 13.22
Left Queneau - 70 kms - 13.26
Intersection left Paillert (door bos RAH)
5th climb: Pottelberg - 72 kms - 13.29
T right (kapel) d'Hoppe, intersection straight on Ten Bossestraat - Straight ahead Motte T left Motte - direction "Steenbergen" - 75 kms - 13.34
Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen - Brakel
Everbeek - straight on Maandagstraat - 76 kms - 13.35
T Ra Muiterij - church - LAH Muiterij, Straight ahead Steenbergen - Priemstraat, roundabout straight on Molenstraat, T right Steenweg N493 direction "Geraardsbergen" - 79 kms - 13.40
Geraardsbergen
Zarlardinge - straight on Oudenaardestraat N493, Goeferdinge, LAH Stweg op Geraardsbergen, N493 direction "Geraardsbergen."
Overboelare - intersection left Astridlaan - 85 kms - 13.49
Intersection right roundabout Zonnebloemstraat (under the railway bridge) N495, Geraardsbergen - right (near the bridge) Weverstraat - 86 kms - 13.50
T left Denderstraat - intersection straight on Oude Steenweg, right Oudebergstraat
6th climb: Muur - (500m of cobbles) - 87 kms - 13.52
Straight ahead Driepikkel, T right Oude Steenweg, intersection left Edingsesteenweg, Zonnebloemstraat N495 - 89 kms - 13.55
Intersection right Volderstraat !!!!!, Onkerzele - intersection left Kampstraat, bridge over Dender, Schendelbeke - straight on churchborre, railway - 91 kms - 13.58
Intersection straight on Moenebroekstraat, Ophasselt - intersection Straight ahead Moenebroekstraat Bildken, T left Leopoldlaan N8 - 94 kms - 14.02
Intersection straight on Brambroek (De Kat) N8, intersection straight on Brambroek (cross Expressway) N8 - 95 kms - 14.03
Lielae
St.-Maria-Lierde, Straight ahead N8 Steenweg railway.
Bevoorrading
From the railway to the edge of "Lierde" - 97 kms - 14.06
end of territory - 98 kms - 14.08
Brakel
Brakel - right Beekstraat N462 - 102 kms - 14.14
RAH Watermolenstraat N462, 300m left Driehoekstraat, Right roundabout churchhofstraat - Straight ahead Valkenbergstraat
7th climb: Valkenberg - 105 kms - 14.19
T left Twaalfbunderstraat
T left +20m T right Oudenaardestraat - 107 kms - 14.22
Zegelsem - Oudenaardsestweg N8 - 108 kms - 14.23
Horebeke
St.-Kornelis-Horebeke - Oudenaardsestwg N8 - 112 kms - 14.30
Left Stene N454 direction "Schorisse"
Maarkedal
Schorisse - straight on Zottegemstraat church
Right Schorissestraat N457 - 115 kms - 14.33
Maarke-churchem - straight on Maarkeweg N457 church - 117 kms - 14.36
Right Eikenberg narrow road
8th climb: Eikenberg - (1400m of cobbles) - 120 kms - 14.41
Oudenaarde
Edelare - T left Kerzelare N8 - Straight ahead Edelareberg church, Leupegem - right Aalststraat N46, intersection right Van de Fonteynel. (300m cobbles) - 122 kms - 14.44
T left Mijttestraat, Volkegem - straight on Tivolistraat, Right Volkegemberg, straight on De la Kethulleplein, Straight ahead Van Brakelstraat
9th climb: Volkegem - (300m of cobbles) - 125 kms - 14.49
T left Holleweg N441 (600m cobbles), Straight ahead Matendries, Ename - right Blote direction "Ganzenplas", T right Boskant - LAH Casterstraat - 127 kms - 14.52
T left Bronstraat - 100m right Zwadderstraat - 129 kms - 14.55
Mater - intersection right churchgate (3.000m cobbles), Straight ahead Matersplein, church, K. Martelstraat - 131 kms - 14.58
T left Holleweg N441 - T left Houwaert N8 direction "Brakel", Left (thv Brouwerij Roman) - 134 kms - 15.02
Horebeke
St.-Mar.-Horebeke - straight on Dorpstraat church Broekstraat - 137 kms - 15.07
Left Smarre - right Molenberg.
Zwalm
Sint-Denijs-Boekel - Straight ahead Molenberg
10th climb: Molenberg - 300m of cobbles) - 139 kms - 15.10
T right Wijlegem - intersection right Franskouterstraat, St.-Blasius-Boekel - intersection Straight ahead Marlboroughstraat, church - 141 kms - 15.13
Brakel
Elst - intersection straight on Boekelstraat.
T right Gentsestraat
Intersection left Lepelstraat roundabout Straight ahead Lepelstraat - 143 kms - 15.16
Michelbeke - LAH Groenstraat, Riedeplein - Berendries
11th climb: Berendries - 147 kms 15.22
Zottegem
Sint-Maria-Oudenhov, T left Brakelstraat. intersection left St.-Hubertusplein, Oudenhovenstraat - 148 kms - 15.23
Intersection right Langendries.
Brakel
Michelbeke - right Boembekestraat
Zwalm
Rozebeke - straight on Rozebekestraat, RAH Rozebekeplein - church, 200m cobbles straight on St.-Annastraat - 152 kms - 15.27
Roborst - intersection straight on Huttegemstraat, T right church Borstekouterstraat, 200m kass. railway - 154 kms - 15.32
Zottegem
Velzeke - straight on Paddenstraat, 2400m cobbles, right Romeinsplein, Left Lippenhovenstraat, 800m cobbles - 158 kms - 15.38
Intersection left Lippenseweg, intersection right Provinciebaan N46, Elene - intersection straight on Provinciebaan, N46 railway, Steenweg op Aalst - 161 kms - 15.43
Leeuwergem - intersection left N42, Gentsestweg - 162 kms - 15.44
Oosterzele
Balegem - straight on Gentsesteenweg N42, Oosterzele - 2x intersection straight on N42, Gentsestweg - 168 kms - 15.53
Gijzenzele - straight on N42 Gentsestwg - bridge over E40 - 171 kms - 15.57
Wetteren
Kwatrecht - intersection Straight ahead Wetterstraat N417 (kruising N9) - 173 kms - 16.00
Left Wetterstraat N400b railway - 174 kms - 16.01
Wetteren - T right Gentsestweg N400, roundabout left direction "Gent" - Felix Beernaertsplein, intersection straight on Kon. Astridlaan - bridge over Schelde - 176 kms - 16.03
roundabout straight on Nieuwe bridge, LAH + RAH Kalkensteenweg N407 - 177 kms - 16.04
Laarne
Laarne - straight on Provinciebaan N407, 2nd straat left Krimineelstraat - 180 kms - 16.08
Intersection straight on Krimineelstraat, 300m cobbles, T right Dendermondsestweg N445, Right Steenbekestraat (Schorpioen), 600m cobbles - 182 kms - 16.10
T left Nerenweg, Kalken - T left Kalkendorp - church - 183 kms - 16.11
LAH + RAH Vromontstraat, right Berringstraat, 500m cobbles, T left Boombosstraat - 184 kms - 16.13
T right Vaarschootstraat, T left Uitbergenstraat
Berlare
Overmere - straight on Burgveldstraat, T right Molenstraat, 200m left (vr Café Groendijk) Herenmeersstraatje - 186 kms - 16.16
Straight ahead Koningstraat, 600m cobbles, T left Broekstraat (2x VP), Intersection left Kruisstraat, Fortstraat, Burg. De Lausnaystraat N445 - 188 kms - 16.18
Intersection right - church - churchstraat (1x VP) N407 - 189 kms - 16.19
Lokeren
Heiende - straight on bridge over E17, left Vogelzangstraat, 1300m cobbles - 192 kms - 16.23
T right Bontinckstraat - Straight ahead Kerrebroekstraat, right Nieuwe Molenstraat, Intersection right Beerveldestraat - 195 kms - 16.27
T left Heiendestraat - church - 4x VP Hillarestraat - 197 kms - 16.30
Lokeren - intersection left Kon. Fabiolalaan, bridge over the railway - 200 kms - 16.34
T - right Gentsesteenweg N70 - 201 kms - 16.35
Intersection straight on Tweebridgegenstraat - bridge over de Durme N70, Intersection straight on Bergendriesstraat N70
Finish approximately 20m from Brouwerijstraat - 202 kms 16.37

Past Winner's List

1945  Jean Bogaerts (Bel) 
1946  André Pieters (Bel) 
1947  Albert Sercu (Bel) 
1948  Sylvain Grysolle (Bel) 
1949  André Declerck (Bel) 
1950  André Declerck (Bel) 
1951  Jean Bogaerts (Bel) 
1952  Ernest Sterckx (Bel) 
1953  Ernest Sterckx (Bel) 
1954  Karel De Baere (Bel) 
1955  Lode Anthonis (Bel) 
1956  Ernest Sterckx (Bel) 
1957  Norbert Kerckhove (Bel) 
1958  Joseph  Planckaert (Bel) 
1959  Seamus Elliott (Ire) 
1961  Arthur De Cabooter (Bel) 
1962  Robert DeMiddeleir (Bel) 
1963  René Van Meenen (Bel) 
1964  Frans Melckenbeek (Bel) 
1965  Noél De Pauw (Bel) 
1966  Jo De Roo (Ned) 
1967  Willy Vekemans (Bel) 
1968  Herman Vanspringel (Bel) 
1969  Roger DeVlaeminck (Bel) 
1970  Frans Verbeeck (Bel) 
1971  Eddy Merckx (Bel) 
1972  Frans Verbeeck (Bel) 
1973  Eddy Merckx (Bel) 
1974  Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 
1975  Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 
1976  Willem Peeters (Bel) 
1977  Freddy Maertens (Bel) 
1978  Freddy Maertens (Bel) 
1979  Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) 
1980  Joseph Bruyere (Bel) 
1981  Jan Raas (Ned) 
1982  Alfons De Wolf (Bel) 
1983  Alfons De Wolf (Bel) 
1984  Eddy Planckaert (Bel) 
1985  Eddy Planckaert (Bel) 
1987  Teun Van Vliet (Ned) 
1988  Ronny Van Holen (Bel) 
1989  Etienne De Wilde (Bel) 
1990  Johan Capiot (Bel) 
1991  Andreas Kappes (Ger) 
1992  Johan Capiot (Bel) 
1993  Wilfried Nelissen (Bel) 
1994  Wilfried Nelissen (Bel) 
1995  Franco Ballerini (Ita) 
1996  Tom Steels (Bel)
1997  Peter Van Petegem (Bel)
1998  ?

Thanks to Mario, Berlin

Complete Starting List

FESTINA: 1. Laurent Brochard; 2. Gianluca Bortolami; 3. Bruno Boscardin; 4. Christophe Bassons; 5. Patrice Halgand; 6. Jaime Hernandez; 7. Sebastien Medan; 8. Richard Virenque.

TVM: 11. Peter Van Petegem; 12. Geert Van Bondt; 13. Johan Capiot; 14. Hendrik Van Dyck; 15. Tristan Hoffman; 16. Steven De Jongh; 17. Servais Knaven; 18. Lars Michaelsen.

RABOBANK: 21. Leon van Bon; 22. Rolf Sörensen; 23. Eric Dekker; 24. Max van Heeswijk; 25. Maarten den Bakker; 26. Robbie McEwen; 27. Marc Wauters; 28. Aart Vierhouten.

LOTTO-MOBISTAR: 31. Mario Aerts; 32. Ludo Dierckxsens; 33. Peter Farazijn; 34. Wim Feys; 35. Chris Peers; 36. Jo Planckaert; 37. Andreï Tchmil; 38. Ludwig Willems.

VLAANDEREN 2002 - E. MERCKX: 41. Glenn D'Hollander; 42. Kris Gerits; 43. Bert Roesems; 44. Erwin Thijs; 45. Kurt Van Lancker; 46. Wim Vansevenant; 47. Peter Wuyts; 48. Johan Verstrepen.

PALMANS: 51. Carlo Bomans; 52. Hans De Clercq; 53. Frank Corvers; 54. Frank Hoj; 55. Scott Sunderland; 56. Gert Vanderaerden; 57. Steven Van Malderghem; 58. Karl Pauwels.

TÖNISSTEINER - SAXON: 61. Hans Demeester; 62. Franky Debuyst; 63. David Delme; 64. Jan Hordijk; 65. Masahiko Mifune; 66. Inabie Barrenechea; 67. Rino Deraedt; 68. Paul Herygers.

COLLSTROP: 71. Dany Baeyens; 72. Tony Bracke; 73. Danny Daelman; 74. Eric Declercq; 75. Steven De Neef; 76. Tom Desmet; 77. Christ Hendryckx; 78. Tim Lenaers.

HOME MARKET - CHARLEROI - RDM: 81. Ronny Assez; 82. Bart Brentjens; 83. Marc Bouillon; 84. Sebastien Demarbaix; 85. Romeo Hernandez; 86. Jean-Pierre Heynderickx; 87. Filip Meirhaege; 88. Gregory Schoelens.

SPAR - RDM: 91. Brian Dalgaard-Jensen; 92. Rik Claeys; 93. Michel Cornelisse; 94. Wim Omloop; 95. Geert Omloop; 96. Rik Van Slycke; 97. Roman Polansky; 98. Werner Van Dromme.

IPSO: 101. Koen Beeckman; 102. Andy De Smet; 103. Bart Heirweg; 104. Stefan Hennebert; 105. Robby Van Daele; 106. Peter Verbeken; 107. Oleg Pankov; 108. Franky Van Haezebroecke.

TEAM DEUTSCHE TELEKOM: 111. Dirk Baldinger; 112. Bert Dietz; 113. Kai Hundertmarck; 114. Giovanni Lombardi; 115. Dirk Muller; 116. Jan Schaffrath; 117. Steffen Wesemann; 118. Christian Henn.

TEAM NURNBERGER: 121. Klaus Diewald; 122. Alexander Kastenhuber; 123. Andreas Klier; 124. Dirk Ronellenfitsch; 125. Frank Schinck; 126. Marko Schlittchen; 127. Roman Stoffel; 128. Christian Van Dartel.

TEAM GEROLSSTEINER: 131. Michael Wolf; 132. Michael Schlickau; 133. Stefan Parinvssa; 134. Raymond Meijs; 135. Frank Klein; 136. Sascha Henrix; 137. Ralf Grabsch; 138. Björn Glasner.

GAN: 141. Magnus Backstedt; 142. Cyril Bos; 143. Marcel Gono; 144. Frédéric Moncassin; 145. Stuart O'Grady; 146. Olivier Perraudeau; 147. Cédric Vasseur; 148. Henk Vogels.

CASINO "C'est votre équipe": 151. Stéphane Barthe; 152. Christophe Agnolutto; 153. Lauri Aus; 154. Jacky Durand; 155. Jaan Kirsipuu; 156. David Lefevre; 157. Alexandre Vindkourov; 158. Arturas Kasputis.

LA FRANCAISE DES JEUX: 161. Christophe Mengin; 162. Emmanuel Magnien; 163. Frederic Guesdon; 164. Patrick D'Hont; 165. Franck Morelle; 166. Damien Nazon; 167. Jean-Patrick Nazon; 168. Jimmy Casper.

COFIDIS: 171. Christophe Capelle; 172. Grzegorz Gwiazdowski; 173. Laurent Desbiens; 174. Philippe Gaumont; 175. David Millar; 176. Francis Moreau; 177. Cyril Saugrain; 178. Bruno Thibout.

AUBER BIG MAT 93: 181. Ludovic Auger; 182. Stéphane Berges; 183. Carlos Dacruz; 184. Viatcheslav Djavanian; 185. Laurent Genty; 186. Thierry Gouvenou; 187. Alexei Sivakov; 188. Jay Sweet.

MUTUELLE DE SEINE ET MARNE: 191. Jérôme Bernard; 192. Stéphane Cueff; 193. Claude Lamour; 194. Laurent Pillon; 195. Frédéric Gabriel; 196. Dominique Rault; 197. Steve Rover; 198. Gilles Talmant.

MAPEI: 201. Davide Bramati; 202. Bert Leysen; 203. Nico Mattan; 204. Johan Museeuw; 205. Wilfried Peeters; 206. Tom Steels; 207. Frank Vandenbroucke; 208. Stefano Zanini.

POLTI: 211. Rossano Brassi; 212. Enrico Cassani; 213. Mirko Celestino; 214. Fabrizio Guidi; 215. Leonardo Guidi; 216. Anthony Rokia; 217. Fabio Sacchi; 218. Christian Salvato.

RISO SCOTTI: 221. Fabio Baldato; 222. Ermanno Brignoli; 223. Andrea Brognara; 224. Stefano Casagranda; 225. Bruno Cenghialta; 226. Federico De Beni; 227. Riccardo Ferrari; 228. Nicola Minali.

BRESCIALAT: 231. Simone Bertoletti; 232. Claudio Camin; 233. Daniele Contrini; 234. Ivanov Ruslan; 235. Marco Milesi; 236. Giancarlo Raimondi; 237. Critian Moreni; 238. Marco Serpellini.

TEAM JACK and JONES: 241. Brian Holm; 242. Jesper Skibby; 243. Danny Nelissen; 244. Arvis Piziks; 245. Juris Sibus; 246. Mikael Kyneb; 247. Christian Andersen; 248. Marc Strange Jacobsen.