93rd Ronde van Vlaanderen - ProT

Belgium, April 5, 2009

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by AFP Photo

• The peloton sets out on its journey through Vlaanderen
• Devolder repeated his win from 2008
• He dedicated his victory to Friederik Nolf, who died in February.
• Devolder with his prize
• Devolder was happy to have won again.

Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• Sébastien Portal (Cofidis) was leading the peloton in Gent.
• Maarten Wynants has to work early for his Quick Step team.
• Robert Hunter (Barloworld) hides in the peloton.
• The bunch took a sharp right after what is usually the finish line in the Omloop – or the Tour de France stages.
• Sébastien Hinault (AG2R La Mondiale) keeps warm on a day that would actually pass as acceptable (for most Belgians anyway...)
• George Hincapie and Edvald Boasson Hagen ride in the bunch for Columbia-Highroad.
• Marcus Burghardt (Columbia-Highroad) is saving energy for the moment in the back of the bunch.
• Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d'Epargne) was a bit delayed but he has plenty of time to make up for it.

Images by Brecht Decaluwé / Cyclingnews

• This Quick Step jersey wasn't popular with the UCI before the start of the race.
• Team Quick Step proceeds to the sign in.

Images by Gregor Brown / Cyclingnews.com

• The canals of Brugge.
• Riders head to the sign in.
• Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo TestTeam)
• Diego Caccia (Barloworld)
• Patrick Lefevere could be happy with his team.
• Filippo Pozzato (Team Katusha) shadowed Tom Boonen but missed the race-winning move.
• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) had a good race over the dusty Flandrian roads.
• Steven Cozza (Garmin - Slipstream) was on the attack today.
• Roger Hammond (Cervélo TestTeam)
• Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo TestTeam) finished second
• Haussler said he was happy as he didn't have the legs today for more.
• Haussler can look forward to future races and he will surely win one soon.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• Always lots of people Molenberg.
• The peloton passes over the Molenberg which was the first climb of the day.
• Cervélo set the pace on the Oude Kwaremont.
• Karsten Kroon (Team Saxo Bank) on the Kwaremont.
• Hincapie pedals up on the Kwaremont.
• Dmitriy Muravyev (Astana) takes a spill on the Oude Kwaremont.
• The bunch passes through on the Oude Kwaremont.
• Boonen on the steep Paterberg
• Hincapie close to the top of the Paterberg.
• Chavanel reaches the top of the Paterberg.
• Haussler on the Paterberg
• Defending champion Devolder had to cross the Paterberg as well – no exceptions.
• Hincapie on the Taaienberg
• Boonen and Pozzato at the end of the Taaienberg.
• Pozzato on the attacked hard several times and here it was at the Berendries.
• Devolder jumps after Boonen and Pozzato on the Berendries.
• George Hincapie (Team Columbia - Highroad) shoulder to shoulder with Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank).
• Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) showed he is a serious contender for the Ronde.
• Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) tries to glimpse to the top.
• Devolder on his way to victory.
• Number one becomes number one once again.
• Gilbert powers to the Muur's top with Boonen behind.
• Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) on his decisive attack at the Muur van Geraardsbergen.
• Devolder close to the chapel on the top.
• Martijn Maaskant (Garmin) on the Muur
• Marcus Burghardt (Team Columbia - Highroad) powers up the Muur.
• Leif Hoste (Silence-Lotto) on the Muur
• Bert de Waele (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) rides up the Muur with Leif Hoste.
• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) fights on the Muur.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) once again shadowed by Filippo Pozzato (Team Katusha).
• Devolder attacks on the steepest part of the Muur de Grammont.
• Devolder gets away from Quinziato
• The Italian fights but the Muur is steep
• Preben Van Hecke (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator) motors up the Muur van Geraardsbergen
• Devolder celebrates his victory
• The Belgian took off and finished solo
• Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo TestTeam) slipped out of the chase group
• Haussler made it across the line just ahead of the guys sprinting behind
• Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) sprinted onto the podium
• Gilbert gave Silence-Lotto something to smile.
• Haussler finished second like in Milano-Sanremo.
• Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) in his retro shirt on the podium.
• Devolder waves the flowers
• The podium from left to right: Haussler (second), Devolder and Gilbert.

Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews

• Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) rode his heart out for the team.
• George Hincapie (Team Columbia - Highroad) after the race
• Filippo Pozzato (Team Katusha) said that Boonen was the strongest but the Quick Step team could pick its winner...
• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) did a great race but in the end he was not rewarded.
• Quinziato is interviewed by Alessandra Di Stefano from RAI
• Quinziato could be happy with his race.
• Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) did better than expected.

Images by Tim Van Wichelen /www.cyclingview.be

• Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) powers away on the last climb of the day, the Bosberg.
• The chasing group with Preben Vanhecke, Manuel Quinziato and Sylvain Chavanel.
• Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) ws out of contention today, finishing 30th.
• Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) in his usual attacking mode.
• Tom Boonen and Filippo Pozzato were always set to duel in Flanders.
• George Hincapie and Marcus Burghardt keep it together for Columbia-Highroad.