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87th Ronde van Vlaanderen/Tour des Flandres - CDM
Belgium, April 6, 2003
Photography
Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com
- Daniele Bennati's Specialized Roubaix - being tested in Flanders
- Pre race favourite Gianluca Bortolami (Caldriola-Sidermec) straps on his helmet
- Filippo Pozzato (Fassa Bortolo) is here to gain experience
- Fred Rodriguez (Caldirola-Sidermec) gets a rub at the start
- Most of the riders have the hills taped to their stems
- Defending champion Andrea Tafi (CSC) is a popular guy
- André Korff and Thomas Liese (Team Coast) roll up for the start
- Paolo Bettini and Mario Cipollini were in effect at the front as the race hit Mater
- Erik Zabel (Telekom) looked to be suffering early
- Jacky Durand (FDJeux.com), out the back from the early attack
- Vincent van der Kooij (Bankgiroloterij) digs deep on the Taaienberg
- World Cup leader Paolo Bettini was among the leaders on the 10th climb
- Nico Mattan (Cofidis) leads the three time Flanders winner Johan Museeuw
- Christophe Mengin was one of FDJeux.com's designated leaders
- Cipollini (l) and Pozzato: two generations of Italian champions
- Nico Mattan on the attack with Frederic Guesdon before the Tenbosse
- A chase group makes time on the approach to the Tenbosse
- By kilometre 228, approaching the Tenbosse, the race was split into several groups
- Another chase group gears up for the Tenbosse
- Two dropped riders face the long ride to the finish
- Antonio Cruz (US Postal) looks like he's had enough
- Telekom's Kai Hundertmarck was spotted on the N8, taking the short way back to Ninove
Images by Jeff Tse/www.jefftse.com/cycling
- Defending champion Andrea Tafi (CSC) waves to the crowd at the start
- World Champ Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanza) salutes from the stage
- Oscar Freire (Rabobank) looks happy to be back in the Ronde
- Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) - is he bored or just concentrating?
- Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo) laughs with the presenter on stage
- Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal-Berry Floor) looks serious at the start
- Wim Vansevenant (Lotto-Domo) did a good deal of work for his team, and it paid off
- Frank Vandenbroucke (Quick.Step) rode a great race today, but didn't have the speed to match Van Petegem
- Christian Vandevelde (US Postal-Berry Floor) rides in the peloton
- Erik Zabel (Telekom) spent a lot of time in the peloton today
- Salvatore Commesso (Saeco) was full of gas today, but didn't quite make it to the front
- Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) rode in front for a while, but abandoned on the Boigneberg with breathing problems
- Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal-Berry Floor) and Mirko Celestino (Saeco) made the final selection
- Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) rounds a corner, fully concentrating
- Thomas Liese (Team Coast) was still able to grin, or is that grimace, on the Taaienberg as he drops Michael Rich
- Nico Mattan (Cofidis) leads the peloton in pursuit of Bettini's group on the Taaienberg
- Jacky Durand (FDJeux.com) with his last strength, climbs the Taaienberg in the Ronde van Vlaanderen
- Michael Rich (Gerolsteiner) on the Taaienberg, about to be caught by the chasing group
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- The Frank Vandenbroucke support club was prominent today
- Fans eagerly await the riders
- Thomas Liese (Team Coast) brings up the rear of the break on an early section of cobbles
- The Flemish flag was out in full force today
- Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo) and Frank Vandenbroucke (Quick.Step) race up the Muur van Geraardsbergen
- Fabio Baldato and Dave Bruylandts on the Muur, chasing Van Petegem and Vandenbroucke
- Nico Mattan (Cofidis) and Mirko Celestino (Saeco) ride up the Muur in pursuit of Van Petegem and Vandenbroucke
- Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) was at the back of the group on the Muur, but recovered to win the sprint for third
- Romans Vainsteins (Caldirola-Sidermec) in serious pain on the Muur van Geraardsbergen
- Dario Pieri and Salvatore Commesso (Saeco) were strong today, but didn't make the crucial break
- Marco Serpellini (Lampre) had a good ride in the Ronde to finish 17th
- Luca Paolini (Quick.Step) did a lot of work for the team today
- Johan Museeuw (Quick.Step) was in all the action today, but failed when it counted on the Tenbossestraat. Here he rides up the Muur, with the break long gone.
- Michele Bartoli (Fassa Bortolo) on the Muur
- Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) on the Muur
- Oscar Freire (Rabobank) struggles up the Muur
- Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo) wins the 87th Ronde van Vlaanderen
- Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) wins the sprint for third
- The podium (L to R): Frank Vandenbroucke (2nd), Peter Van Petegem (1st) and Stuart O'Grady (3rd)
- World Cup leader Peter Van Petegem salutes from the podium
Images by AFP
- A worms-eye view of the body-jarring cobblestones
- Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) in the middle of the action
- Dave Bruylandts (Marlux) climbs the Gramont Wall ahead of Frederic Guesdon (FDJeux.com)
- Peter Van Petegem climbs the Gramont Wall ahead of his compatriot Frank Vandenbroucke
- Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo) celebrates as he crosses the finish line
- Peter Van Petegem lifts his trophy
Images by Elmar Krings
- Peter Van Petegem and Frank Vandenbroucke sprint for the finish
- The view that most of the other riders saw all day
- Frédéric Guesdon heads for the line
- The third bunch sprint for the finish
- The heat is on, and so is the sprint
- Erik Zabel (Team Telekom) arrived with the fourth group
- Nico Mattan (Cofidis-Le Crédit par Téléphone)
- Frank Vandenbroucke (Quick.Step-Davitamon) talks to reporters
- Eddy Merckx supplied the winning bike, and all he got was this hat.
More images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Lots of blue from Quick.Step and USPS
- Erik Zabel (Telekom) rolls out
- Bulldozer not required - the crowds eventually make way for the riders
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) leads a white trio with German champion Danilo Hondo and Mario Cipollini
- Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanza) rolls out in the rainbow
- Erik Zabel (Telekom) leads Salvatore Commesso (Saeco)
- Congestion - fortunately cleared before the riders arrive
- Johan Museeuw (Quick.Step) with 'Lion of Flanders' helmet art
- Peter Van Petegem in the early stages
- Michael Boogerd tops more cobbles
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) lost the overall World Cup lead but is level on points
- Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanza) - the world champ pulled out with breathing difficulties
- Filippo Pozzato (Fassa Bortolo) getting some cobble experience
- Erik Zabel (Telekom) with faithful team minder
- Andrea Tafi (CSC) had a not-so-good day to finish 47th
- Salvatore Commesso (Saeco) gave a good showing for the Italian champion's jersey
- Mirko Celestino (Saeco) working hard
- The chasers in hot pursuit
- Belgian fans looking unaccustomed to the Spring sunshine
- Huge crowds line the climb
- The crowds cheer on a lone rider on the climb
- Frank Vandenbroucke is ushered away by his team
- Peter Van Petegem rolls off to recover
- Nico Mattan talks to the press
Images by Luc Claessen/www.actiefotos.be
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) leads riders along the smoother line next to the cobbles
- Mario Cipollini in the thick of the bunch
- Jacky Durand (FDJeux.com) tried his trademark suicide break but without success this time
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) looking like he hasn't quite woken up yet
- Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) grinds up one of the climbs
