Devolder saves his season with Belgian title

Stijn Devolder won his second Belgian national title in Leuven, crowning a long solo attack to claim the title and keep it in his Quick Step team. Second place went to Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and third to Vacansoleil's Frederick Veuchelen, finishing about a half minute back.

It was Devolder's second win of the season. He won the Tour of Belgium without taking any stage wins. The 30-year-old had won the national road title in 2007 and the time trial championship in 2009. Title defender and teammate Tom Boonen did not ride the race due to a knee injury.

“I am incredibly happy,” Devolder said. “This is a dream come true. This is a very special jersey for me! After wearing this jersey in 2007 in Ronse I had, quite possibly, one of the best seasons in my career. I hope that will be the case again. This success, paired with the Tour of Belgium win I obtained a few weeks ago, really rewards me for all the hard work I've done. I am truly and deeply satisfied."

Six riders broke away early: Tim Bertrand and Jonathan Van Den Haute (AG2R), Tim Mertens (Topsport Vlaanderen), Wilfried Cretskens (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick Step) and 39-year-old Niko Eeckhout (An Post – Sean Kelly). They were caught again though, with 55km to go.

Gilbert tried to go away solo, forcing an elite selection that would stay clear until the finish. The group included many of the top names including two of Gilbert's teammates, Jurgen Roelandts and Greg van Avermaet. On the penultimate lap, Gilbert tried repeatedly to get away, but when Devolder countered with 11km to go the Omega Pharma-Lotto rider could not respond. Gilbert and Veuchelen gave chase, but the Vacansoleil rider did not help with the lead work, and they were unable to catch Devolder.

Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)5:53:19
2Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto)0:00:23
3Frederik Veuchelen (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team)0:00:24
4Greg Van Avermaet (Omega Pharma-Lotto)0:00:30
5Nick Nuyens (Rabobank)Row 4 - Cell 2
6Jurgen Roelandts (Omega Pharma-Lotto)Row 5 - Cell 2
7Dries Devenyns (Quick Step)Row 6 - Cell 2
8Johan Vansummeren (Garmin-Transitions)Row 7 - Cell 2
9Maxime Monfort (Team HTC - Columbia)Row 8 - Cell 2
10Björn Leukemans (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team)Row 9 - Cell 2
11Andy Cappelle (Verandas Willems)0:00:58
12Michael Van Staeyen (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator)0:01:20
13Nico Sijmens (Cofidis, le Credit en Ligne)Row 12 - Cell 2
14Christophe Brandt (Omega Pharma-Lotto)Row 13 - Cell 2
15Maarten Wynants (Quick Step)Row 14 - Cell 2
16Nikolas Maes (Quick Step)Row 15 - Cell 2
17Kristof Vandewalle (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator)0:01:23
18Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Omega Pharma-Lotto)0:01:26
19Jan Ghyselinck (Team HTC - Columbia)0:01:32
20James Vanlandschoot (Willems Verandas)Row 19 - Cell 2
21Iljo Keisse (Quick Step)Row 20 - Cell 2
22Bert De Backer (Skil - Shimano)Row 21 - Cell 2
23Gregory Habeaux (Verandas Willems)Row 22 - Cell 2
24Bert De Waele (Landbouwkrediet)Row 23 - Cell 2
25Serge Pauwels (Ned) Sky Professional Cycling Team)Row 24 - Cell 2
26Romain Zingle (Cofidis, le Credit en Ligne)Row 25 - Cell 2
27Maxime Vantomme (Team Katusha)Row 26 - Cell 2
28Kevin Neirynck (Landbouwkrediet)Row 27 - Cell 2
29Sander Armee (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator)Row 28 - Cell 2
30Gert Dockx (Team HTC - Columbia)Row 29 - Cell 2
31Ben Hermans (Team Radioshack)Row 30 - Cell 2
32Pieter Jacobs (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator)Row 31 - Cell 2
33Roy Sentjens (Ned) Team Milram)Row 32 - Cell 2
34Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step)Row 33 - Cell 2
35Kevin De Weert (Quick Step)Row 34 - Cell 2
36Thomas De Gendt (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator)Row 35 - Cell 2
37Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb - Revor)Row 36 - Cell 2
38Maarten Neyens (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator)0:01:37
39Steven De Neef (Jong Vlaanderen - Bauknecht)0:01:39
40Jérôme Baugnies (Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator)Row 39 - Cell 2
41Bert Scheirlinckx (Landbouwkrediet)0:01:44
42Dominique Cornu (Skil - Shimano)Row 41 - Cell 2
43Kevin Hulsmans (Quick Step)Row 42 - Cell 2
44Kevin Van Impe (Quick Step)Row 43 - Cell 2
45Kevin Pauwels (Telenet - Fidea)Row 44 - Cell 2
46Mario Aerts (Omega Pharma-Lotto)Row 45 - Cell 2

 

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