Races Road Boonen sprints to victory By Cycling News published 27 March 2011 Bennati, Farrar round out top three in final dash Comments Image 1 of 105Tom Boonen (Quick Step), flanked by Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) and Daniele Bennati (Leopard Trek).(Image credit: Sirotti)The late escape was comprised of Ian Stannard (Sky), Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and Liquigas-Cannondale's Maciej Bodnar and Peter Sagan.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Jeremy Hunt (Sky) regroups after a crash.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) gets a new rear wheel.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Boonen is back (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Maciej Bodnar (Liquigas - Cannondale) rides in the break.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Bernhard Eisel (HTC-Highroad) powers the peloton.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Ian Stannard (Sky) at the front of the late break.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)World champion Thor Hushovd (Garmin - Cervelo) and Gert Steegmans (Quick Step).(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)2001 Gent-Wevelgem champion George Hincapie (BMC)(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) climbs the Kemmelberg.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) on the Kemmelberg.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)The Gent-Wevelgem peloton rolls along the seaside.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil - DCM)(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Yukiya Arashiro (Europcar) with a fan before the start of Gent-Wevelgem.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Christian Knees (Omega Pharma - Lotto)(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)The peloton tackles a climb in Gent-Wevelgem.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)It's tough to move up on the narrow Flemish roads.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)The Gent-Wevelgem peloton gets encouragement from some roadside spectators.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)French champion Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) drives the break.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Alessandro Ballan (BMC)(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Nick Nuyens at the Saxo Bank Sungard team car with sports director Tristan Hoffman.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Danny Pate (HTC-Highroad)(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Mark Renshaw (HTC-Highroad)(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Alessandro Ballan chats with BMC sports director Fabio Baldato before the start.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) was aggressive throughout(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Roy Curvers (Skil Shimano)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Matthew Hayman (Sky Pro Cycling)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Matthew Goss (HTC-Highroad)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Matthew Goss (HTC-Highroad) and Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma Lotto) used to be teammates(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Maciej Bodnar (Liquigas) would go on to make it into a break(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Lars Ytting Bak (HTC-Highroad)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky Pro Cycling)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky Pro Cycling)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Jeremy Hunt (Sky Pro Cycling)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Geraint Thomas (Sky Pro Cycling)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)George Hincapie (BMC Racing)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Daniel Oss (Liquigas)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Bernhard Eisel (HTC Highroad)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma Lotto)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma Lotto)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)A disappointed Yoann Offredo (FDJ) crosses the line after his crash.(Image credit: Sirotti)Yoann Offredo (FDJ) crashed along with Leonadro Duque (Cofidis).(Image credit: Sirotti)Yoann Offredo (FDJ) sits on the tarmac in Wevelgem.(Image credit: Sirotti)Yoann Offredo (FDJ) was unfortunate to crash across the line.(Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) celebrates unaware of the crash behind.(Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) times his lunge to perfection.(Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) wins Gent-Wevelgem.(Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) beat Daniele Bennati (Leopard Trek) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo). (Image credit: Sirotti)The sprint royale kicks off in Wevelgem.(Image credit: Sirotti)Ian Stannard's (Sky) solo bid as seen on the big screen in Wevelgem.(Image credit: Sirotti)Pat McQuaid was on hand in Wevelgem.(Image credit: Sirotti)Ian Stannard (Sky) took a solo flyer in the closing kilometres.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Maciej Bodnar formed part of the dangerous break on the run in to Wevelgem(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) takes the win(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Boonen salutes the home crowd(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Mark Cavendish is forced to chase after a puncture(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Mark Cavendish is forced to untangle his bike(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Cavendish had an unlucky day(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Duque (Cofidis) and Offredo (FDJ) crashed at the finish(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Andre Greipel survived the climbs but could only manage fourth(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Sagan and Bodnar power the four-man break along(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Gilbert (Omega Pharma Lotto) tried to break clear(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thor Hushovf (Garmin-Cervelo) was caught behind a crash in the finale(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) secures his biggest win of the season(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Leonardo Duque offers support and encouragement to Yoann Offredo after a high speed crash during the final sprint(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) on the cobbled Kemmelberg climb(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Thomas Voeckler was very aggresive all day. Here he is on the Kemmelberg.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) on the podium with the obligatory champagne.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) heads toward the podium(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) was thrilled to take the win.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) starts to lift his arms to celebrate(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) leads the dash to the finish.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Belgian Kevin Van Impe at the front of the peloton(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Philippe Gilbert takes a turn at the front, followed by Kevin Van Impe(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)A smiling Tom Boonen (Quick Step) after the finish.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) high fives after his victory.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Philippe Gilbert and Gert Steegmans drive the pace.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Sylvain Chavanel spent some time off the front.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)French champion Thomas Voeckler on the Kemmelberg cobbles.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) topped the Gent-Wevelgem podium.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) gets some support from his team(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) gets a bottle handoff from his team car.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) concentrates on winning(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) gets a push from his teammate(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) was caught up in an untimely crash after which he had to chase.(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)Boonen answered his critics with a thrilling sprint win(Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick Step) sprays the crowd with Champaign (Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen on the top step of the podium(Image credit: Sirotti)The Gent-Wevelgem podium: Farrar, Boonen and Bennati(Image credit: Sirotti)Tom Boonen on the top step of the podium(Image credit: Sirotti)(Image credit: Sirotti)Bennati congratulates Tom Boonen on his win(Image credit: Sirotti)Coming into the sprint Boonen was one of the favourites to win(Image credit: Sirotti)