Andreas Klier, first German on stand.

For the first time since 1934, the starting shot is not given in Ghent but at the Grand Place of Deinze. The sun shines yet it is very cold when 164 cyclists sign the start list.

Due to a fall, Bettini and Dierckxsens are eliminated just before entering Ostend.

Knaven and Kashechin make a break away together with 26 cyclists of 12 different teams, including: Museeuw, Boonen, Cretskens, Knaven and Kashechin from Quick Step-Davitamon.

Cipollini, Steels, Eeckhout, Van Heeswijk, Van Bon, Kirsipuu, Hondo and Klier are the other big names among the breakaway.

The first pass of Mount Kemmel finishes off Belgian champion Steels. When Klier increases the pace during the second climb of Mount Kemmel, Van Bon and Kirsipuu also have to drop out. Just beyond the downhill, world champion Cipollini falls down when taking a sharp bend. The Italian is clearly frustrated and throws his drinking bottle at a motorcyclist grating on his nerves.

Finally, 12 cyclists remain in the forward line of the race: Lombardi, Ongarato, Van Heeswijk, Cancellara, Hayman, Boonen, Museeuw, Knaven, Vogels, Klier, Hammond and Belohvosciks.

At 11 km from the finish, Quik Step cyclist Knaven takes advantage of the numerical majority at the front.

Klier, Vogels and Ongarato are joined by Boonen as a watchdog at the moment they are launching a counterattack.

For Knaven, the two last kilometres of the race are too much. In Wevelgem, his attempted break away is dashed.

In his youthful exuberance, Boonen speeds up. After a tense side by side, Klier wins by a short head from Vogels and the disillusioned Boonen.

RESULT: 164 participants of whom 49 are qualified

1) Andreas Klier (Ger), 208 km in 4h 29', an average of 45 km 502 m/h
2) Henk Vogels (Aus)
3) Tom Boonen
4) Alberto Ongarato (Ita) at 9"
5) Servais Knaven (Ned) at 18"
6) Raivis Belohvosciks (Let) at 43"
7) Johan Museeuw at 1' 07"
8) Roger Hammond (GBR)
9) Max van Heeswijk (Ned)
10) Matthew Hayman (Aus)

© Rudy Neve 2006