For the first time a Spaniard on the podium

The contested Mount Kemmel remains part of the Gent-Wevelgem course but the descent will take place on the asphalted ‘Klokhofweg’.

With Hushovd (2006), Boonen (2004), Klier (2003), Hincapie (2001) and Steels (1996 and 1999) not less than 5 previous winners are present at the start in Deinze. Marcus Burghardt, winner of the previous edition, could not participate because of a knee tendon inflammation.

At 11.34 am, under a soft spring sunshine, the 70th edition of Gent-Wevelgem begins. Almost immediately after the departure, a small group of 18 cyclists takes the lead.

Only the trio Knaven, Gajek and Donati succeed in passing the head bunch.

The quiet spring weather inspires the cyclists. In one hour they already have covered 51 km. After 82 km the neo-professional Ermanno Capelli (Saunier Duval) takes a head start. The Italian has a lead of 10’15” after 125 km.

At the first passage of Mount Kemmel the fleers’ lead on the bunch has reduced to 4’30”.

Filipo Pozzato and Matti Breschel have a small head start as well.

Contrary to the previous edition, the steep descent of Mount Kemmel went without any problems. Philippe Gilbert, who already tried to escape from the group earlier on, succeeds in breaking loose and rejoins the duo Pozzato-Breschel at the second mounting of Mount Vidaigne. At the next approach of Mount Kemmel Breschel looses distance and the bunch catches up with him.

At less than 30 km from the arrival the duo Pozzato-Gilbert catches up with the tired ‘fleer’. The first part of the group, nearly 80 cyclists and without Tom Boonen, cycles just behind the trio.

For a small moment there remains only one big bunch but Kurt-Asle Arvesen and Martin Elmiger break loose quickly.

Frederic Guesdon, Manuel Quinziato and Stuart O’Grady follow them et succeed in joining the duo at 10 km from the arrival.

After a short hesitation Quinziato and O’Grady outrun the small leading group.

In vain, at less than 2 km from the arrival the regroup is a fact. During the last sprint the Spaniard Oscar Freire is all mighty. The triple world champion starts his sprint from far behind and does ‘his job’ in a impressive way. He’s the first Spaniard on the highest step of the podium of Gent – Wevelgem.

Results : 196 participants – 182 ranked.

1) Oscar Freire Gomez (ESP), 209 km and 4u 53’06”, an average of 42 km 784 m/h.

2) Aurélien Clerc (SUI)

3) Wouter Weylandt

4) Erik Zabel (ALL)

5) Kenny Dehaes

6) Luca Paolini (ITA)

7) Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (ESP)

8) Stuart O’Grady (AUT)

9) Heinrich Haussler (ALL)

10) Roger Hammond (GB)