Chicchi triumphs at Handzame Classic

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Italian sprinter takes fifth victory of season

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The Handzame Classic podium (l-r): Marcel Kittel (Project 1t4i), Francesco Chicchi (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Adam Blythe (BMC)(Image credit: AFP)

Francesco Chicchi (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) took his second sprint victory of the week, winning the Handzame Classic in Belgium. The 31-year-old Italian won the mass sprint ahead of Marcel Kittel (Project 1t4i) and Adam Blythe (BMC Racing Team).

It was the 18th win this season for the Belgian ProTeam, and Chicchi's fifth. His most recent win was only two days earlier, at the Nokere Koerse.

"The magic state I'm in continues," said Chicchi. "I'm very happy with this victory. We rode strong all day long. Fortunately, Keisse was in the 15-man break that marked the race, and he allowed us to sit on tires and save energy. In the final we all had perfect legs. The team did a fantastic job and I managed to clinch the double just a few days off my victory in Nokere.

"I want to dedicate this success to all the families of the victims of the disaster at Sierre, a terrible tragedy which we will never forget. All my teammates join me in this dedication."

A 15-man group got away early on the race comprised of Walt De Winter, Francesco Van Coppernolle (Jong Vlaanderen), Iljo Keisse (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Tosh Van der Sande (Lotto-Belisol), Wouter Mol (Vacansoleil-DCM), Pieter Serry (Topsport Vlaanderen), Wim De Vocht (Accent Jobs-Verandas Willems), Mart Ojavee (Champion System), Tobias Ludvigsson (Project 1t4i), Victor Manakov (RusVelo), Rony Martias (Saur-Sojasun), Will Routley (Spidertech), Blaz Jarc (NetApp) and Niko Eeckhout (An Post-Sean Kelly).

Their lead never exceeded a minute and a half, and the group slowly fell apart as the sprinters' teams put the pressure on.

With 11km to go the last of the escapees were caught again, setting up the expected mass sprint finale.

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Full Results
1Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quickstep4:10:00
2Marcel Kittel (Ger) Project 1T4iRow 1 - Cell 2
3Adam Blythe (GBr) BMC Racing TeamRow 2 - Cell 2
4Guillaume Boivin (Can) Spidertech Powered By C10Row 3 - Cell 2
5Kenny Robert Van Hummel (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 4 - Cell 2
6Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 5 - Cell 2
7Gediminas Bagdonas (Ltu) An Post - Sean KellyRow 6 - Cell 2
8Boy Van Poppel (Ned) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling TeamRow 7 - Cell 2
9Kenny De Haes (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 8 - Cell 2
10Nikolay Trusov (Rus) RusVeloRow 9 - Cell 2
11André Schulze (Ger) Team NetAppRow 10 - Cell 2
12Jonas Ahlstrand (Swe) Team Cykelcity.seRow 11 - Cell 2
13Yoeri Havik (Ned) Cyclingteam De RijkeRow 12 - Cell 2
14Hugo Houle (Can) Spidertech Powered By C10Row 13 - Cell 2
15Roy Jans (Bel) An Post - Sean KellyRow 14 - Cell 2
16Steve Schets (Bel) Jong Vlaanderen Cycling TeamRow 15 - Cell 2
17Sven Jodts (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 16 - Cell 2
18Remco Te Brake (Ned) Cyclingteam De RijkeRow 17 - Cell 2
19Egidijus Juodvalkis (Ltu) Landbouwkrediet-EuphonyRow 18 - Cell 2
20Frederique Robert (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 19 - Cell 2
21Eugenio Alafaci (Ita) Leopard - Trek Continental TeamRow 20 - Cell 2
22Matthias Friedemann (Ger) Champion System Pro Cycling TeamRow 21 - Cell 2
23Jean-Lou Paiani (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 22 - Cell 2
24Christophe Laborie (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 23 - Cell 2
25Jarl Salomein (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 24 - Cell 2
26Jacobe Keough (USA) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling TeamRow 25 - Cell 2
27Robert Förster (Ger) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling TeamRow 26 - Cell 2
28Michael Schwarzmann (Ger) Team NetAppRow 27 - Cell 2
29James Vanlandschoot (Bel) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda'sRow 28 - Cell 2
30Aaron Kemps (Aus) Champion System Pro Cycling TeamRow 29 - Cell 2
31Andrew Fenn (GBr) Omega Pharma-QuickstepRow 30 - Cell 2
32Henrik Abom (Swe) Team Cykelcity.seRow 31 - Cell 2
33Kevin Verwaest (Bel) Jong Vlaanderen Cycling TeamRow 32 - Cell 2
34Philippe Legrand (Bel) Wallonie Bruxelles - Credit AgricoleRow 33 - Cell 2
35Benjamin Verraes (Bel) Jong Vlaanderen Cycling TeamRow 34 - Cell 2
36Baptiste Plackaert (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-EuphonyRow 35 - Cell 2
37Coen Vermeltfoort (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 36 - Cell 2
38Kurt Hovelynck (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-EuphonyRow 37 - Cell 2
39Alexander Mironov (Rus) RusVeloRow 38 - Cell 2
40Fabio Polazzi (Bel) Wallonie Bruxelles - Credit AgricoleRow 39 - Cell 2
41Kevin Ista (Bel) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda'sRow 40 - Cell 2
42Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda'sRow 41 - Cell 2
43Christopher Jones (USA) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling TeamRow 42 - Cell 2
44Sean Patrick Downey (Irl) An Post - Sean KellyRow 43 - Cell 2
45Jonas Vangenechten (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 44 - Cell 2
46Rob Goris (Bel) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda'sRow 45 - Cell 2
47Nikita Eskov (Rus) RusVeloRow 46 - Cell 2
48Quentin Bertholet (Bel) Wallonie Bruxelles - Credit AgricoleRow 47 - Cell 2
49Caleb Fairly (USA) Spidertech Powered By C10Row 48 - Cell 2
50Jens Vandenbogaerde (Bel) Jong Vlaanderen Cycling TeamRow 49 - Cell 2
51Bert De Backer (Bel) Project 1T4iRow 50 - Cell 2
52Rikke Dijkxhoorn (Ned) Geofco - Ville D'algerRow 51 - Cell 2
53Olivier Chevalier (Bel) Wallonie Bruxelles - Credit AgricoleRow 52 - Cell 2
54Sjef De Wilde (Bel) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda'sRow 53 - Cell 2
55Dmitry Kozontchuk (Rus) RusVeloRow 54 - Cell 2
56Philip Vandaele (Bel) Colba - Superano HamRow 55 - Cell 2
57Wouter Mol (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 56 - Cell 2
58Martin Gilbert (Can) Spidertech Powered By C10Row 57 - Cell 2
59Jos Van Emden (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 58 - Cell 2
60Mark Christian (GBr) An Post - Sean KellyRow 59 - Cell 2
61Benjamin Day (Aus) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling TeamRow 60 - Cell 2
62Sjoerd Kouwenhoven (Ned) Cyclingteam De RijkeRow 61 - Cell 2
63Martin Kohler (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRow 62 - Cell 2
64Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 63 - Cell 2
65Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepRow 64 - Cell 2
66Kenneth Van Bilsen (Bel) An Post - Sean KellyRow 65 - Cell 2
67Markus Eichler (Ger) Team NetAppRow 66 - Cell 2
68Jeroem Lepla (Bel) Jong Vlaanderen Cycling TeamRow 67 - Cell 2
69Dominic Klemme (Ger) Project 1T4iRow 68 - Cell 2
70Arthur Van Overberghe (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 69 - Cell 2
71Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 70 - Cell 2
72Tim Declercq (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 71 - Cell 2
73Kristof Vandewalle (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quickstep0:00:10
74Pieter Ghyllebert (Bel) An Post - Sean KellyRow 73 - Cell 2
75Andy Cappelle (Bel) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda'sRow 74 - Cell 2
76Sander Cordeel (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 75 - Cell 2
77Pit Schlechter (Lux) Leopard - Trek Continental TeamRow 76 - Cell 2
78Tom Stamsnijder (Ned) Project 1T4iRow 77 - Cell 2
79Ryan Anderson (Can) Spidertech Powered By C10Row 78 - Cell 2
80Johan Landstrom (Swe) Team Cykelcity.se0:00:14
81Michael Olsson (Swe) Team Cykelcity.se0:00:16
82Rob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team0:00:22
83Timon Seubert (Ger) Team NetAppRow 82 - Cell 2
84Julien Vermote (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quickstep0:00:24
85Marcello Pavarin (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 84 - Cell 2
86Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quickstep0:00:38
87Andreas Schillinger (Ger) Team NetApp0:00:49
88Simon Lambert-Lemay (Can) Spidertech Powered By C100:00:50
89Sven Vandousselaere (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator0:01:09
90Jelle Wallays (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 89 - Cell 2
91Mats Boeve (Ned) Cyclingteam De Rijke0:01:25
92Christian Bertilsson (Swe) Team Cykelcity.seRow 91 - Cell 2
93Bradley White (USA) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team0:01:45
94Henryk Cardoen (Bel) Geofco - Ville D'alger0:03:28
95Matvey Zubov (Rus) RusVeloRow 94 - Cell 2
96Jonathan Breyne (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-EuphonyRow 95 - Cell 2
97Martijn Keizer (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 96 - Cell 2
98Jacek Morajko (Pol) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 97 - Cell 2
99Will Routley (Can) Spidertech Powered By C10Row 98 - Cell 2
100Kun Jiang (Chn) Champion System Pro Cycling TeamRow 99 - Cell 2
101Etienne Tortelier (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 100 - Cell 2
102Rony Martias (Fra) Saur - SojasunRow 101 - Cell 2
103Sven Van Den Houte (Bel) Colba - Superano HamRow 102 - Cell 2
104Jurgen Francois (Bel) Colba - Superano HamRow 103 - Cell 2
105Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) BMC Racing TeamRow 104 - Cell 2
106Mathias Frank (Swi) BMC Racing TeamRow 105 - Cell 2
107Alexandr Pliuschin (Mda) Leopard - Trek Continental TeamRow 106 - Cell 2
108Joel Zangerle (Lux) Leopard - Trek Continental TeamRow 107 - Cell 2
109Bob Jungels (Lux) Leopard - Trek Continental TeamRow 108 - Cell 2
110Marco Bandiera (Ita) Omega Pharma-QuickstepRow 109 - Cell 2
111Iljo Keisse (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickstepRow 110 - Cell 2
112Koen Barbe (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-EuphonyRow 111 - Cell 2
113Blaz Jarc (Slo) Team NetAppRow 112 - Cell 2
114Laurent Evrard (Bel) Wallonie Bruxelles - Credit AgricoleRow 113 - Cell 2
115Thomas Damuseau (Fra) Project 1T4iRow 114 - Cell 2
116Jérôme Baugnies (Bel) Team NetAppRow 115 - Cell 2
117Pengda Jiao (Chn) Champion System Pro Cycling TeamRow 116 - Cell 2
118Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Project 1T4iRow 117 - Cell 2
119Ronan Van Zandbeek (Ned) Project 1T4iRow 118 - Cell 2
120Huub Duyn (Ned) Cyclingteam De RijkeRow 119 - Cell 2
121Philip Lindau (Swe) Team Cykelcity.seRow 120 - Cell 2
122Niko Eeckhout (Bel) An Post - Sean KellyRow 121 - Cell 2
123Dion Beukeboom (Ned) Cyclingteam De RijkeRow 122 - Cell 2
124Yannick Eijssen (Bel) BMC Racing TeamRow 123 - Cell 2
125Pieter Serry (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - MercatorRow 124 - Cell 2
126Christoph Pfingsten (Ger) Cyclingteam De RijkeRow 125 - Cell 2
127Tosh Van Der Sande (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 126 - Cell 2
128Maarten Neyens (Bel) Lotto Belisol TeamRow 127 - Cell 2
129William Clarke (Aus) Champion System Pro Cycling TeamRow 128 - Cell 2
130Bas Stamsnijder (Ned) Cyclingteam De RijkeRow 129 - Cell 2
131Jetse Bol (Ned) Rabobank Cycling TeamRow 130 - Cell 2
132Barry Markus (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling TeamRow 131 - Cell 2
133Kin San Wu (HKg) Champion System Pro Cycling Team0:05:11
134Robert Pölder (Swe) Team Cykelcity.se0:05:52
135Giorgio Brambilla (Ita) Leopard - Trek Continental Team0:06:34

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