Boonen sprints to victory

Tom Boonen (Quick Step) silenced his critics on Sunday at Gent-Wevelgem by winning the sprint ahead of Daniele Bennati (Leopard Trek) and Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Cervelo) and show that he is on form just a week before the Tour of Flanders.

Gent-Wevelgem is known as the sprinters’ classic but in recent years the breakaways had held off the chasers to steal victory. This year was close, with attacks holding out until sight of the line but despite mechanical problems early in the race, Boonen showed he is still fast in a sprint.

“This race used to be a big goal for me each season but then year after year I focused more and more on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. But I’m proud to have won it because it wasn’t an easy day for me.” Boonen explained.

“It seemed that everything was going wrong before it went right. I had a mechanical problem at the foot of the first climb and that forced me to wait a long time to get service. It was definitely more than a minute.”

“It’s true that I’d have preferred to ride the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke but my team wanted me to ride here. I under stand the reasons and know that the team’s interests are more important than mine. Thanks to this success our team has scored some important ranking points.”

“Fabian won on Saturday and is in great shape but I’ve won today and my form is getting better and better after being illness slowed me before Milan-San Remo. I’m ready for the Tour of Flanders.”

The early action

The skies were overcast and the air chilly in Deinze before the start of the race, but with little wind on the menu, there was no shortage of riders trying to leaving the safety of the peloton. Consequently, the opening section on the flat roads towards the coast was run off at a breakneck pace, with the bunch covering a shade under 52km in the first hour of racing.

The elastic finally snapped soon afterwards, when French champion Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) sparked a move and dragged away Bram Schmitz (Veranda's Willems – Accent), Romain Zingle (Cofidis), Steven Van Vooren (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator) and Albert Timmer (Skil-Shimano) with him for company. After the break reached its maximum lead of five minutes after 70km, the redoubtable Voeckler took matters in hand to ensure they stayed out there by going to the front and driving the group.

With the race passing into France twice to hit the climb of the Catsberg, Voeckler was certainly not short on motivation, but he soon demonstrated that his escape was by no means a mere exercise in showing off the jersey, and he surged to the head of the group as soon as the road went upwards. That immediately put Schmitz and Timmer in trouble and they were dropped on the second ascent of the Catsberg (154km), as the gap to the peloton slipped down to 2:20.

Behind, there was a moment of panic for Tom Boonen (Quick Step) when he suffered a mechanical problem on the climb and after a long delay he was forced to chase back on in the company of Kevin Van Impe. Like Fabian Cancellara at the previous day’s E3 Prijs, Boonen made it safely back to the peloton but the Belgian used up a lot of valuable energy in his pursuit. Yet it also seemed to be a source of extra motivation.

The next man to suffer misfortune was Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad), when he punctured at the foot of the Kemmelberg, just as Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) hit the front of the climb. The Belgian’s brief show of forcing sent ripples through the peloton, and that reshuffling of the pack would ultimately contribute to sparking a short-lived but dangerous move.

After the next climb of the Monteberg, George Hincapie (Team BMC), Matt Hayman (Team Sky), Baden Cooke (Saxo Bank) and Geoffroy Lequatre (RadioShack) managed to forge clear of the bunch, and they were soon joined by the in-form Gilbert, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervélo), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Jelle Wallays (Topsport-Vlaanderen) and Gert Steegmans (Quick Step).

A break featuring Gilbert and Hushovd was never going to be allowed to simply ride away, however, and they were soon reeled back in once Rabobank and Saxo Bank got themselves organised behind, and the pace ratcheted up in the bunch as it approached the decisive second ascent of the Kemmelberg with 41km to go.

Sagan lights up the finale

The cobbled climb is often the key to Gent-Wevelgem and Thomas Voeckler managed to rid himself of his remaining breakaway companions and crest the summit alone. But the peloton was now just 40 seconds behind and closing at pace. In the main group, Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) showed his hand on the Kemmelberg with a brief burst that was closely watched by Juan Antonio Flecha (Team Sky). His effort was enough to force another brief selection over the summit of the climb, with Hushovd, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) among those keeping tabs on the young Slovak.

Once Voeckler was swallowed up after the fast descent of the Kemmelberg, there was a brief regrouping behind but then Sagan jumped again ahead of the final climb of the Monteberg, with 35km to go. This time he was joined by his teammate Maciej Bodnar, Ian Stannard (Team Sky) and Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step). The quartet soon opened a 30 second lead thanks to some smooth collaboration.

Gilbert made an abortive attempt to bridge alone but then the large group behind finally began to organise itself with HTC-Highroad and Omega Pharma-Lotto sharing the load. HTC were riding for Cavendish who had got back after his mechanical. Thomas Voeckler was also lending a hand, but with Sagan and Chavanel driving hard up front, the gap grew to 42 seconds with 26km to go.

Cavendish crashes out of contention

While Sagan and company were continuing their move off the front of the bunch, disaster struck one of the other pre-race favourites, when Cavendish crashed at the rear of the bunch. The Manxman couldn’t hide his frustration at missing out on the chance at a classic win in such banal circumstances, and even though he began to chase alone, he must have known that his race was over.

The crash split the front group and gave the four attackers extra hope of success. However while Cavendish lost any chance of victory, Gilbert became more convinced of his chances as did BMC, who also worked hard to pull the quartet back.

The long straight roads of the finale to Wevelgem allowed the chasers to see the four riders up the road and the race turned into a pursuit match.

The gap fell second by second but the kilometres were also down to single figures and the race could have gone either way. With five kilometres to go the gap was down to single figures and Bodnar sat up after giving his all to help teammate Sagan. The prodigious Slovakian rider would have been favourite for the sprint but the now 30-strong bunch was closing on them.

Stannard knew it was better to risk it all than sit back and be swept up. He jumped away with two kilometres to go and dropped Sagan and Chavanel. As he speeded under the one kilometre to go banner, it looked like he could do it. But then the long straight road to the finish seemed to drain his legs. Suddenly the sprinters were on him and swamped him with just 150 metres to go.

Farrar opened up the sprint but Boonen had a better lead out from Steegmans and timed his acceleration better. He hit the front and held his speed all the way to the line.

He had admitted he no longer loved bunch sprints but he loved winning Gent-Wevelgem. Suddenly his season was back on track. Quick Step would no longer be last in the UCI ranking and Boonen had responded to Fabian Cancellara. Bring on the Tour of Flanders.

Full Results

Swipe to scroll horizontally
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep Cycling Team4:35:00
2Daniele Bennati (Ita) Leopard TrekRow 1 - Cell 2
3Tyler Farrar (USA) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 2 - Cell 2
4André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-LottoRow 3 - Cell 2
5Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 4 - Cell 2
6Mitchell Docker (Aus) Skil - ShimanoRow 5 - Cell 2
7Bernhard Eisel (Aut) HTC-HighroadRow 6 - Cell 2
8Kristof Goddaert (Bel) AG2R La MondialeRow 7 - Cell 2
9Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 8 - Cell 2
10Baden Cooke (Aus) Saxo Bank SungardRow 9 - Cell 2
11Yoann Offredo (Fra) FDJRow 10 - Cell 2
12Leonardo Fabio Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 11 - Cell 2
13Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing TeamRow 12 - Cell 2
14Tiziano Dall'antonia (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 13 - Cell 2
15Adrien Petit (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 14 - Cell 2
16Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 15 - Cell 2
17Anthony Geslin (Fra) FDJRow 16 - Cell 2
18Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 17 - Cell 2
19Robert Hunter (RSA) Team RadioShackRow 18 - Cell 2
20Roy Curvers (Ned) Skil - ShimanoRow 19 - Cell 2
21Lars Ytting Bak (Den) HTC-HighroadRow 20 - Cell 2
22Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 21 - Cell 2
23Borut Bozic (Slo) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 22 - Cell 2
24Pablo Lastras Garcia (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
25Kristijan Koren (Slo) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 24 - Cell 2
26Mirko Selvaggi (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 25 - Cell 2
27Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre - ISDRow 26 - Cell 2
28Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) Team EuropcarRow 27 - Cell 2
29Grégory Rast (Swi) Team RadioShackRow 28 - Cell 2
30George Hincapie (USA) BMC Racing TeamRow 29 - Cell 2
31Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quickstep Cycling TeamRow 30 - Cell 2
32Alan Marangoni (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 31 - Cell 2
33Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Sky ProcyclingRow 32 - Cell 2
34Dries Devenyns (Bel) Quickstep Cycling TeamRow 33 - Cell 2
35Ian Stannard (GBr) Sky ProcyclingRow 34 - Cell 2
36Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto0:00:09
37Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) Team RadioShackRow 36 - Cell 2
38Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Saxo Bank SungardRow 37 - Cell 2
39Nick Nuyens (Bel) Saxo Bank SungardRow 38 - Cell 2
40Marco Marcato (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 39 - Cell 2
41Arnaud Labbe (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 40 - Cell 2
42Sébastien Turgot (Fra) Team Europcar0:00:14
43Davide Malacarne (Ita) Quickstep Cycling Team0:00:16
44Alessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing Team0:00:20
45Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 44 - Cell 2
46Maciej Bodnar (Pol) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 45 - Cell 2
47Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quickstep Cycling Team0:00:23
48Kevin Van Impe (Bel) Quickstep Cycling TeamRow 47 - Cell 2
49Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale0:00:28
50Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto0:00:44
51Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing Team0:00:55
52Michael Schär (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRow 51 - Cell 2
53Preben Van Hecke (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator0:02:42
54Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 53 - Cell 2
55Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 54 - Cell 2
56Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Veranda's Willems - Accent0:03:15
57Stijn Neirynck (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator0:03:17
58Andrey Amador Bakkazakova (CRc) Movistar Team0:03:18
59Davy Commeyne (Bel) LandbouwkredietRow 58 - Cell 2
60Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-HighroadRow 59 - Cell 2
61Danilo Wyss (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRow 60 - Cell 2
62Saïd Haddou (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 61 - Cell 2
63Robbie Mcewen (Aus) Team RadioShackRow 62 - Cell 2
64Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Katusha TeamRow 63 - Cell 2
65Frédéric Amorison (Bel) LandbouwkredietRow 64 - Cell 2
66Allan Davis (Aus) Pro Team AstanaRow 65 - Cell 2
67Angel Madrazo Ruiz (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 66 - Cell 2
68Christopher Sutton (Aus) Sky ProcyclingRow 67 - Cell 2
69Michael Matthews (Aus) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 68 - Cell 2
70Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 69 - Cell 2
71Pablo Urtasun Perez (Spa) Euskaltel-EuskadiRow 70 - Cell 2
72Javier Francisco Aramendia Lorente (Spa) Euskaltel-EuskadiRow 71 - Cell 2
73Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel-EuskadiRow 72 - Cell 2
74Grega Bole (Slo) Lampre - ISDRow 73 - Cell 2
75Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team RadioShackRow 74 - Cell 2
76Maxim Iglinsky (Kaz) Pro Team AstanaRow 75 - Cell 2
77Jelle Wallays (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 76 - Cell 2
78Egidijus Juodvalkis (Ltu) LandbouwkredietRow 77 - Cell 2
79Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Pro Team AstanaRow 78 - Cell 2
80Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Team RadioShackRow 79 - Cell 2
81Maarten Wynants (Bel) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 80 - Cell 2
82Thomas Leezer (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 81 - Cell 2
83Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 82 - Cell 2
84Jaroslaw Marycz (Pol) Saxo Bank Sungard0:11:28
85Michael Morkov (Den) Saxo Bank SungardRow 84 - Cell 2
86Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Katusha TeamRow 85 - Cell 2
87Kevin Ista (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 86 - Cell 2
88Matti Helminen (Fin) LandbouwkredietRow 87 - Cell 2
89Julien Berard (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 88 - Cell 2
90Vicente Reynes Mimo (Spa) Omega Pharma-LottoRow 89 - Cell 2
91Aleksejs Saramotins (Lat) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 90 - Cell 2
92Yann Huguet (Fra) Skil - ShimanoRow 91 - Cell 2
93Steve Houanard (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 92 - Cell 2
94Yuriy Krivtsov (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 93 - Cell 2
95Jorge Azanza Soto (Spa) Euskaltel-EuskadiRow 94 - Cell 2
96Dmytro Krivtsov (Ukr) Lampre - ISDRow 95 - Cell 2
97Simon Zahner (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRow 96 - Cell 2
98Dieter Cappelle (Bel) Veranda's Willems - AccentRow 97 - Cell 2
99Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Katusha TeamRow 98 - Cell 2
100Romain Lemarchand (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 99 - Cell 2
101Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La MondialeRow 100 - Cell 2
102Denis Galimzyanov (Rus) Katusha TeamRow 101 - Cell 2
103Alexander Porsev (Rus) Katusha TeamRow 102 - Cell 2
104Romain Feillu (Fra) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 103 - Cell 2
105Danilo Hondo (Ger) Lampre - ISDRow 104 - Cell 2
106Frederik Veuchelen (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 105 - Cell 2
107Inaki Isasi Flores (Spa) Euskaltel-EuskadiRow 106 - Cell 2
108Laurens De Vreese (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 107 - Cell 2
109Jonas Aaen Jörgensen (Den) Saxo Bank SungardRow 108 - Cell 2
110John Murphy (USA) BMC Racing TeamRow 109 - Cell 2
111Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Pro Team AstanaRow 110 - Cell 2
112Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) FDJRow 111 - Cell 2
113Steven Van Vooren (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 112 - Cell 2
114Pieter Jacobs (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 113 - Cell 2
115Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Sky ProcyclingRow 114 - Cell 2
116Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha TeamRow 115 - Cell 2
117Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Team RadioShackRow 116 - Cell 2
118Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Team RadioShackRow 117 - Cell 2
119Rick Flens (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 118 - Cell 2
120Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 119 - Cell 2
121Greg Henderson (NZl) Sky ProcyclingRow 120 - Cell 2
122Juan José Haedo (Arg) Saxo Bank SungardRow 121 - Cell 2
123Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 122 - Cell 2
124Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky ProcyclingRow 123 - Cell 2
125Mathew Hayman (Aus) Sky ProcyclingRow 124 - Cell 2
126Alexandre Pichot (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 125 - Cell 2
127Frédéric Guesdon (Fra) FDJRow 126 - Cell 2
128Carlos Oyarzun (Chi) Movistar TeamRow 127 - Cell 2
129Dominique Rollin (Can) FDJRow 128 - Cell 2
130Brett Lancaster (Aus) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 129 - Cell 2
131Sven Van Den Houte (Bel) Veranda's Willems - AccentRow 130 - Cell 2
132Damien Gaudin (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 131 - Cell 2
133José Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 132 - Cell 2
134Ignatas Konovalovas (Ltu) Movistar TeamRow 133 - Cell 2
135Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Quickstep Cycling Team0:16:30
136Andreas Stauff (Ger) Quickstep Cycling TeamRow 135 - Cell 2
137Adam Hansen (Aus) Omega Pharma-LottoRow 136 - Cell 2
138Danny Pate (USA) HTC-HighroadRow 137 - Cell 2
139Romain Zingle (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 138 - Cell 2
140Olivier Kaisen (Bel) Omega Pharma-LottoRow 139 - Cell 2
141Nico Sijmens (Bel) Cofidis, Le Credit En LigneRow 140 - Cell 2
142Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 141 - Cell 2
143Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 142 - Cell 2
144Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 143 - Cell 2
145Steven Caethoven (Bel) Veranda's Willems - AccentRow 144 - Cell 2
146Johan Coenen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 145 - Cell 2
147Daniel Sesma (Spa) Euskaltel-EuskadiRow 146 - Cell 2
148Enrique Sanz (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 147 - Cell 2
149Tom Veelers (Ned) Skil - ShimanoRow 148 - Cell 2
150Thomas Damuseau (Fra) Skil - ShimanoRow 149 - Cell 2
151Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 150 - Cell 2
152Joeri Stallaert (Bel) LandbouwkredietRow 151 - Cell 2
153Matthew Wilson (Aus) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 152 - Cell 2
154Roger Hammond (GBr) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 153 - Cell 2
155Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 154 - Cell 2
156Gabriel Rasch (Nor) Team Garmin-CerveloRow 155 - Cell 2
157Edward King (USA) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 156 - Cell 2
158Aidis Kruopis (Ltu) LandbouwkredietRow 157 - Cell 2
159Kasper Klostergaard Larsen (Den) Saxo Bank SungardRow 158 - Cell 2
DNFMatthew Harley Goss (Aus) HTC-HighroadRow 159 - Cell 2
DNFAlex Rasmussen (Den) HTC-HighroadRow 160 - Cell 2
DNFMark Renshaw (Aus) HTC-HighroadRow 161 - Cell 2
DNFMatt Brammeier (Irl) HTC-HighroadRow 162 - Cell 2
DNFAdam Blyth (GBr) Omega Pharma-LottoRow 163 - Cell 2
DNFJurgen Van De Walle (Bel) Omega Pharma-LottoRow 164 - Cell 2
DNFDominic Klemme (Ger) Leopard TrekRow 165 - Cell 2
DNFStuart O'grady (Aus) Leopard TrekRow 166 - Cell 2
DNFJoost Posthuma (Ned) Leopard TrekRow 167 - Cell 2
DNFTom Stamsnijder (Ned) Leopard TrekRow 168 - Cell 2
DNFMartin Mortensen (Den) Leopard TrekRow 169 - Cell 2
DNFRobert Wagner (Ger) Leopard TrekRow 170 - Cell 2
DNFWouter Weylandt (Bel) Leopard TrekRow 171 - Cell 2
DNFJeremy Hunt (GBr) Sky ProcyclingRow 172 - Cell 2
DNFAssan Bazayev (Kaz) Pro Team AstanaRow 173 - Cell 2
DNFMaxim Gourov (Kaz) Pro Team AstanaRow 174 - Cell 2
DNFSimon Clarke (Aus) Pro Team AstanaRow 175 - Cell 2
DNFMirco Lorenzetto (Ita) Pro Team AstanaRow 176 - Cell 2
DNFJacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Liquigas-CannondaleRow 177 - Cell 2
DNFVladimir Isaichev (Rus) Katusha TeamRow 178 - Cell 2
DNFSébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 179 - Cell 2
DNFVitaliy Buts (Ukr) Lampre - ISDRow 180 - Cell 2
DNFVitaliy Kondrut (Ukr) Lampre - ISDRow 181 - Cell 2
DNFBalint Szeghalmi (Hun) Lampre - ISDRow 182 - Cell 2
DNFBobbie Traksel (Ned) LandbouwkredietRow 183 - Cell 2
DNFSébastien Delfosse (Bel) LandbouwkredietRow 184 - Cell 2
DNFRob Goris (Bel) Veranda's Willems - AccentRow 185 - Cell 2
DNFJean-Pierre Drucker (Lux) Veranda's Willems - AccentRow 186 - Cell 2
DNFBram Schmitz (Ned) Veranda's Willems - AccentRow 187 - Cell 2
DNFKevin Van Melsen (Bel) Veranda's Willems - AccentRow 188 - Cell 2
DNFOlivier Bonnaire (Fra) FDJRow 189 - Cell 2
DNFMickael Delage (Fra) FDJRow 190 - Cell 2
DNFMatthieu Ladagnous (Fra) FDJRow 191 - Cell 2
DNFKoen De Kort (Ned) Skil - ShimanoRow 192 - Cell 2
DNFRoger Kluge (Ger) Skil - ShimanoRow 193 - Cell 2
DNFAlbert Timmer (Ned) Skil - ShimanoRow 194 - Cell 2
DNFYohann Gene (Fra) Team EuropcarRow 195 - Cell 2
DNSAliaksandr Kuschynski (Blr) Katusha TeamRow 196 - Cell 2

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Latest on Cyclingnews