MECHELEN (Belgium), May 28, 2010 (AFP) – French rider Jimmy Casper (Saur-Sojasun) won on his 32nd birthday today on the third stage of the Tour of Belgium. Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma) is still the overall leader, after winning of the first stage on Wednesday.

Casper won the sprint ahead of Italian Danilo Napolitano and Belgian Gert Steegmans who had launched the sprint.

“Today, I probably wanted the victory more than others. Today I turned 32, I offer my 50th win as a pro. It is a nice gift,” said Casper.

“In the last mile my team did an extraordinary job. For the first time this season, we managed to put theory into practice. My teammates have done everything to please me, “he told stated.

On Saturday, the fourth and penultimate stage is an individual time-trial of 16 km. Philippe Gilbert has plans to have keep his black jersey leader to the end.

STAGE RESULTS
1. Jimmy Casper (Fra/Saur-Sojasun), les 192 km en 4 h 21:09
2. Danilo Napolitano (ITA) m.t.
3. Gert Steegmans (BEL) m.t.
4. Stefan van Dijk (NED) m.t.
5. Denis Galimzjanov (RUS) m.t.
6. Kenny van Hummel (NED) m.t.
7. Enrique Mata (ESP) m.t.
8. Timothy Dupont (BEL) m.t.
9. Kevin Pauwels (BEL) m.t.
10. Baptiste Planckaert (BEL) m.t.

OVERALL RESULTS:
1. Philippe Gilbert (BEL/Omega Pharma) en 10 h 50:10
2. Rony Martias (FRA) à 10.
3. Tomas Vaitkus (LIT) à 10.
4. David Boucher (FRA) à 14.
5. James Vanlandschoot (BEL) à 14.
6. Jimmy Casper (FRA) à 19.
7. Kenny van Hummel (NED) à 23.
8. Niko Eeckhout (BEL) à 25.
9. Danilo Napolitano (ITA) à 27.
10. Borut Bozic (SLO) à 27.