Sunday 27 March 2011

Boonen takes a second victory in the Gent-Wevelgem one-day classic ahead of the Tour of Flanders

With just a week to go until the second monument of the "Cobbled Classic" greats, the Tour of Flanders, Quick Step rider Tom Boonen out-sprinted rivals Daniele Bennati of Italy and Tyler Farrar of the United States to take the Gent-Wevelgem classic victory. His victory comes just a day after sprint rival Fabian Cancellara won the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke race in his own preparation for next Sunday's showdown.

A breakaway by five cyclists led by French champion Thomas Voeckler 80 kilometres from home, was soon hauled in by the peloton setting it the race up for a sprint finish which saw Boonen comfortably come out on top; his second success of the season following his stage win in the Tour of Qatar.

Beset by set back after set back that saw him slip further and further towards the back of the peoloton, Britain's Mark Cavendish faced disapointment as he failed to make his mark following fall shortly before the conclusion to the race, that saw him shouting in frustration at a fellow dismounted rider and the ground itself.

Taking the win, a second for the Belgian rider who also took the victory here in 2004 which saw him earn the apt nickname "Tornado Tom", he proved that the course is best suited to local riders and those who know the roads well. With two ascents of the Kemmelberg and narrow roads that switch from concrete to cobbles, like many of the Spring Classics, this race can out-best even the most capable of sprinters, as indeed happened today for the Manx Missile Mark Cavendish.

With luck clearly not on his side today, he was dropped to the back of the peloton; a place no sprinter with hopes of victory wants to be. Further impeded by a crash, the door opened for his team mate Eisel to defend his victory as last years winner. However it wasnt to be his day either as Lady Luck rested on the lycra-clad shoulders of Boonen.

1 comment :

  1. Meu pelotão para o Giro 2011

    O cara do gas acaba de ser denunciado reconhecido lambido pulado festejado sujado por Lance & Naomi, porque não começar por onde interrompia ? Enquanto tento começar, sou interrompido por ação dos cães com o homem do gás convidando todos nos arredores de casa a também receberem o produto energético em suas cozinhas, ou ver como se recebe com graça. Levanto olho no corte em pirâmide preto pano estendido sobre os alisares de ipê dependurada cortina improvisada Saveiro roxa com listra prata o carro do pingüim volto pra bat caverna batman vai precisar de mim para escrever este texto de hoje postado direto da toca do monge da residência oficial casa de robin onde os pássaros acordam pela manhã cantando a ração colocada com a cuia sobre o comedouro azul claro de plástico preso por arame amarrado no pau do telhado por minha distinta banza o ratão dos Ribeiros arataca que os pássaros por saberem que foi de boa intenção comem disputam cantam e acasalam nas nossas cercanias ao nosso redor dançam dança de roda ciranda do inferno ao céu : Saci.

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