Norwegian victory after dramatic finish

[01.03 19:54] Today, Team Saxo Bank took part in one of the major tests of strength before the big classics in the undulating landscape in the eastern parts of Flanders. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad has been on the season schedule since 1945 and has in the last few years been dominated by severe weather, hard competition and Belgian winners.

Today it was 10-11 degrees with little wind, and the riders reached fifty kilometres within the first hour of the race. When Rabobank made a decisive attack, Stuart O’Grady just had a flat tire and therefore did not make it to the front group. Team Saxo Bank, however, worked hard to bridge the gap throughout the race.

With 25 kilometers to go, the race was set for an exciting chase. Haussler (Cervelo) and Langeveld (Rabobank) were in the front followed by a tripartite group comprising Gilbert (Lotto), Nyuens (Rabobank) and Amorison (Lanbouwkrediet). In a larger group behind Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and Thor Hushoved (Cervelo) worked hard and with 13 kilometer to the finish line, Boonen and Hushoved succeeded reaching the group with now only 27 seconds behind the Dutch/German duo.

With 400 meters to the finish line, the race was to be decided in a bunch sprint, where Boonen crashed and Hushoved could raise his arms as the winner of the race.

“Stuart had a flat as Rabobank opened the race, which was fatal to us. Unfortunately, we didn´t make it to the lead group again, and we were 23 seconds behind Hushovd at the finish line”, commented Kim Andersen after the race.

Photo by: CorVos Pro