Road Flahute Fiesta! Tom Boonen wins Ronde Van Vlaanderen By Cycling News published 3 April 2005 ProTour standings Although he's usually known as a sprinter, 24... Image 1 of 172Tom Boonen: "Yes!!" (Image credit: Sirotti)Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) (Image credit: Jon Devich)The podium (L to R): (Image credit: Sirotti)The crowds were thick (Image credit: Jon Devich)Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas-Bianchi) (Image credit: Jon Devich)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) (Image credit: Jon Devich)Van Petegem (Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) (Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)The crowds were thick at the start in the old town of Brugge. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)The group sets out for the long day ahead. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) shows some tan lines from perhaps some secret training. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas-Bianchi) leads the break heading onto the Boigneberg. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Leon van Bon (Davitamon-Lotto) does some work trying to bring the front group back. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Marc Lotz (Quick.Step) worked hard today to set up teammate Tom Boonen. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Peter Wrolich (Gerolsteiner) puts the pressure on to catch the lead group. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Roger Hammond (Discovery) couldn't quite get going today. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Lars Michaelsen (CSC) catches back up after having a mechanical on an earlier climb. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)After eight climbs the field was split into smaller groups. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) attacked several times for the win. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) managed a 7th place for his efforts today. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Erik Dekker (Rabobank) leads a chase group several minutes back on the Boonen/Van Petegem group. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) finishes off the day 28th after having done a lot of work. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)There were many people at the start in Brugge (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) at the start (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Quick.Step was the team to beat today (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)The peloton on the Molenberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)The peloton on the Molenberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)The race is over for these two (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Andrea Tafi (Saunier Duval) on the Paterberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) next to Hushovd on the Kwaremont (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Where's everybody gone? (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Slava Ekimov leads Lance and George (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) and teammate George Hincapie (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Boonen and Van Petegem lead the break on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Van Petegem leads Boonen on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Van Petegem leads Klier and Boonen (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) a little way off Boonen and PVP on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) digs deep (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Klier and Ballan at the top of the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) struggles on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Lance on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Thomas Vaitkus (Ag2r) on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Marc Lotz (Quick.Step) looks for an easier way (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Serious pain (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)The crowd on the Muur (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) steps on the gas on the Bosberg, causing pain (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) gives them the look on the Bosberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) struggles to hold them on the Bosberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Erik Dekker (Rabobank) did not have a great day (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Armstrong on the Bosberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) looking great (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) had a great ride for fourth (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) wins the Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Yes!! Boonen celebrates his win (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) wins the sprint for third (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) after the finish (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is congratulated by his girlfriend Lorre (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) interviewed afterwards (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is the man today (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)The podium (L to R): Andreas Klier (2nd), Tom Boonen (1st) and Peter Van Petegem (3rd) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) kisses the RVV trophy (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) lifts the trophy (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) had a good ride in Flanders (Image credit: Bettini Photo)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) suffers on the Koppenberg (Image credit: Bettini Photo)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) on the Bosberg, work done (Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) puts the boot into Klier on the Muur (Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) solo, heading for the win (Image credit: Bettini Photo)The podium (L to R): Andreas Klier (2nd), Tom Boonen (1st) and Peter Van Petegem (3rd) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)Lots of folk came to watch the start (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)The scene in Brugge (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)The crowd at the start in Brugge (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is ready (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Leif Hoste and George Hincapie with presenter Michel Wuyts at the start (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) with presenter Michel Wuyts at the start (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Erik Dekker (Rabobank) eats a taartje before the sign on (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Dekker spotted this girl in the crowd (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) is a wanted man (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Erik Dekker (Rabobank) lines up for the start (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Erik Dekker (Rabobank) catches up on the news, 1 minute before start time (Image credit: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com)Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) is ready (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Laszlo Bodrogi (Credit Agricole) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Hayden Roulston (Discovery Channel) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Joerg Ludewig (Domina Vacanze) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Rafael Nuritdinov (Domina Vacanze) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Fabio Baldato (Fassa Bortolo) with hair akimbo (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) had a great day (Image credit: Luc Claessen)George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) with the race face on (Image credit: Luc Claessen)George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) happy at the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Gorik Gardeyn (Mr Bookmaker) at the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Jakob Piil (CSC) looks a little tired (Image credit: Luc Claessen)James Vanlandschoot (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) a little nervous (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Johan Verstrepen (Landbouwkrediet) wonders what's in store (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Juan Antonio Flecha (Fassa Bortolo) ready to go (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Kevin Hulsmans (Quick.Step) is a valuable man for Boonen (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) tries to get through (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Leif Hoste (Discovery) rides to the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Ludo!!!!! (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) ready for a big one (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) looking focused (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Max van Heeswijk (Discovery) is back in action (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) bright eyed, as usual (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Nick Nuyens (Quick.Step) is cheery (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Nico Mattan (Davitamon-Lotto) at the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Slava Ekimov ready for a big day at the wheel (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) interviewed (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) looking happy (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Stijn Devolder (Discovery) looking upbeat (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Old warriors Andrea Tafi and Peter Van Petegem (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues) was happy at the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) smiles at the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Marcus Burghardt (T-Mobile) at the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) has the full attention of the media (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) signs autographs (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Peter van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) signs autographs (Image credit: Luc Claessen)2004 Ronde winner Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) talks to Jean-Marie Pfaff and Michel Wuyts (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Young and old fans at the Ronde (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) rolls out for the start (Image credit: Luc Claessen)The passage through Gistel (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Saunier Duval driving it through Gistel (Image credit: Luc Claessen)The peloton on some of that unphotogenic tarmac stuff (Image credit: Luc Claessen)A Saunier Duval mechanic works on a riders' bike after a crash. Hope that leg got some attention too! (Image credit: Luc Claessen)A Cofidis rider gives chase. (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Tom Boonen as seen by a local cartoonist! (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) animated the closing stages of the race (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) on the Eine cobbles (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Antonio Cruz (Discovery) rides the Eine cobbles (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Rolf Aldag (T-Mobile) on the Eine pave (Image credit: Luc Claessen)More Eine action (Image credit: Luc Claessen)More Eine action (Image credit: Luc Claessen)T-Mobile to the front at Eine (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) at Eine (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Daniel Becke (Illes Balears) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Bert Grabsch (Phonak) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Crossing the Eine pave (Image credit: Luc Claessen)David Herrero Llorente (Euskaltel-Euskadi) at Eine (Image credit: Luc Claessen)The cobbles at Mater await the riders (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Jan Boven (Rabobank) at Mater (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) on the Mater cobbles (Image credit: Luc Claessen)The peloton in hot pursuit (Image credit: Luc Claessen)The lead group at Mater (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Backstedt leads on the Mater cobbles (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Concentrating on keeping rubber side down (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Wim de Vocht (Davitamon-Lotto) takes the gutter option on the Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)The leaders climb the Kopppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Laurent Brochard (Bouygues Telecom) looking strong on the koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Lance Armstrong (Discovery) on the Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Lance Armstrong (Discovery) on the Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Mark Scanlon (Ag2R Prevoyance) on the Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner) climbs the Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Photographer dodging on Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)David Boucher (Mrbookmaker.Com-Sports Tech) on the Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) leads Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Liberty Seguros) on the Koppenberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Spectators cheer the riders up the Bosberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Battling up the Bosberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Leif Hoste (Discovery) toils up the Bosberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Lance Armstrong (Discovery) climbs the Bosberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Lance Armstrong (Discovery) climbs the Bosberg (Image credit: Luc Claessen)Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) leads the break across he stones at Mater (Image credit: Matt Conn)Quickstep and Dicovery Channel take things in hand after the top of the Oude Kwaremont (Image credit: Matt Conn)Cornering at the bottom of Taaineberg (km 190) (Image credit: Matt Conn)Nicola Loda (Bianchi) leads a small chase group at the bottom of the Taaienberg.
