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3 April 2006

4 April News ...

31 Years Later Boonen the Rock-Star

Tom Boonen (Quick-Step), thirty-one years after Eddy Merckx, has won the Tour of Flanders in the World Champion jersey. The 25 year-old Belgian has become only the fourth rider in De Ronde's history to cross the line in rainbow colors (Louison Bobet 1955, Rik Van Looy 1962 and Eddy Merckx 1975).

Boonen proved he could handle the pressure of being last year's winner and World Champion. The Belgian was a marked-man and the race was his to lose, but he proved to be the strongest rider over the 17 bergs. "I was the big favorite. Everyone in the peloton and press knew what I wanted to do," explained Boonen after his race win. "I said at the start 'no excuses'. I knew that if I lost this race it would be because I made a mistake or there was a crash. ... Because everything was set up for me to win this second Tour of Flanders. It is a hard race but it went how we wished."

"I was the fastest and I was not intimidated by anyone. My original idea was to attack on the Kapelmuur, but [Leif] Hoste attacked and I was forced to change tactics. When he attacked, there was only one card to play in our team, and that was me," continued Boonen. "The others, Baguet, Pozzato, and Bettini, had already done their work. It was my job to follow Hoste, but I thought that one or two other riders would bridge."

The win of Tornado Tom would not have been possible without the super-domestique work of Filippo Pozzato. Throughout the race finale it was always Pippo on the front leading the Quick-Step brigade with a high tempo. "Pippo was incredible," said Boonen of his Italian teammate and recent Milano-Sanremo winner. "He is really one of cycling's big talents. Now we are at 50-50, we each have taken a classic for 2006. At Paris-Roubaix I expect he will again be with me at the front on the pavé."

Tom Boonen, new ProTour leader, has written his name in the Ronde's history books. He will take his win and march towards next Sunday's appointment in Hell, Paris-Roubaix.

Hell for Hoste

Yesterday Leif Hoste (Discovery Channel) flashed his brillance with a spectacular ride in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen. The 28 year-old Belgian shattered the race with the winning attack on the Valkenberg (-33K) that only World Champion Tom Boonen could match.

"It is too bad because I quickly realized that I was at my top-end and it was not possible for me to attack on the final climbs," said Hoste, who wanted to try to drop Boonen on the Kapelmuur or Bosberg. "The sprint became inevitable. I believe that Boonen was also near his maximum in the finale, and wouldn't have been able to drop me if he wanted to."

Hoste was content with the second place result and will look to step up one position next Sunday: "Boonen wasn't stronger than me, but he was simply the fastest ... I will try to go better in Roubaix."

Hincapie on Hoste and Flanders

George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) was in the mix again in a Grand Classic, but fell slightly short of the race win. His Disco mate, Leif Hoste, incited the warfare and then rode free in the racing winning move. L'Americano made the most of his abilities, blocking for Hoste and then winning the sprint for third.

"Hoste gave me a bit of a surprise with his Valkenberg jump," said Hincapie. "But it was fine, and I'm happy for Leif. He's a really good teammate to have in any race... I'm happy with him getting second."

Yesterday the Hincapie had superb condition, but he was forced to block for Hoste after the Valkenberg attack. "I had super legs but I'm a team player and once a teammate is up the road then you're on the defensive. Hoste made his move, and it was too bad for me because my legs felt better than ever but I was not able show it. But take a look at the sprint for third and see that I was clearly ahead of the others."

Pozzato the Pace-Maker

Filippo Pozzato was the super-domestique for Quick-Step teammate Tom Boonen. Pippo was near the front for most of the second-half of the Tour of Flanders, tapping out a pace that kept the Quick-Step challengers on edge. After winning the Milano-Sanremo two weeks ago, Flanders was a continuation and confirmation of the Italian's strength.

"I am really happy with the work I did for Tom today... I wanted to give a proper payback for Sanremo," said Pozzato after a day of super-domestique duties. "I feel I worked great and nicely repaid Tom... I am happy for his win. It was a proper gesture for his work in Milano-Sanremo. I believe that this favor will be returned, maybe next Sunday [in Roubaix]."

What was said to Boonen late in the race? "I asked him how I was going, and he said that I was doing a great pace and to keep it strong. ... I arrived in the second group, but I am happy for the work that I have done for this great team."

"Next Sunday, at Roubaix, I certainly hope to be a challenger. I will be at the front and go with the favorites. I hope that Tom will work for me ... If we are both in front together it will be good for the team," finished Pippo.

Ballan Points to Koppenberg

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital), who showed well in the Milano-Sanremo, again proved his strength in the Tour of Flanders. The early part of his race was marked with a mishap, but he recovered to finish fifth on the day. "The pace on Koppenberg was very fast. I had to put my foot down, and then for the next 10 to 15 kilometers we were chasing to rejoin the front. Very tiring. But it was a good test for me," said the Italian.

"When Hoste went on the Valkenberg I was not able to follow... My legs were heavy and not so brilliant," continued Ballan. "Then on the descent I tried to chase and came within five or six seconds, but then after the curve they disappeared. They were able to get a good pace from the motorbikes and gained a half-minute. Only in Belgium does this happen with the motorcyclists, not in Italy."

Ballan was content with his fifth place, and will now focus on the next two Northern Classics. "More or less it was a good race for me. Now I will try in Gent-Wevelgem, and then next Sunday in Paris Roubaix."

Bettini Misses Out on Flanders

Paolo Bettini was one of four Quick-Step men in the finale of yesterday's Tour of Flanders. Bettini positioned himself as a possible race winner, mostly riding on the wheels of teammates Filippo Pozzato and Serge Baguet, but had to be content with teammate Boonen's escape. Another year has passed and Il Grillo missed an opportunity to add Flanders to his palmarès.

"When Hoste went free on the Valkenberg I was not in my 53, but stuck in my 39 gear," explained Il Grillo. "They had 10 meters, which seems small, but it was an abyss. ... My legs were great, but I had to ride for the team. I tried to stop the others from catching Boonen and Hoste, and then, with 5 kilometers, left I did not have anymore energy."

Let Down for Petacchi

Alessandro Petacchi (Milram), who showed his hot condition in Milano-Sanremo, did not really make an impression in Flanders. The Italian had pointed to the Ronde Van Vlaanderen as a race he could win, but came short, really short, of the goods.

"I dropped out after the Eikenberg. I went for 200 kilometers but I didn't have a bad feeling on the cobbles," explained Petacchi. "On the Koppenberg I had to dismount. Ahead of me, 200 meters, Zabel and Hushovd were fighting to get back on... I tried to join with them, but it was not possible... I had given up in my head."

1 April News ...