Cycling Reports

Ghent – Wevelgem

 Report by Cian Lynch

9th April 2003 – 204kms

Although a mid week semi classic, the Ghent Wevelgem attracts a top class field, many of whom decide against the rigours of the Tour of the Basque country. With Friere, Cippolini, Mc Ewen, Museuuw, Boonen and many top classic riders present, there was always going to be a dramatic finale to this race. Cippolini is still looking to take a major win in the World Champions’ Rainbow jersey; indeed, he did a fine ride in this race last year, bridging a gap late in the race to take the sprint.

As the riders crested the Kemmelberg for the second time, Cippolini was sitting up where he was well in contention, so too were Vogels, Museuuw, Boonen, Knaven, Andreas Klier, Roger Hammond, Jaan Kirsipuu, Andy Flickenger and a handful of others. A crash on the descent resulted in Cippolini falling – it was later discovered that one of the race motorbikes was responsible. Cipo’s hard fought struggle to regain contact was only further hampered by his frustration with the motorbike marshal whom he blamed for his crash, and Cipo’s need to throw both of his waterbottles at the marshal, venting his anger! Being the prim Dona he is, and possibly satisfied with his act of aggression, Cipo was getting on with making contact, when a cameraman and his motorbike driver crashed spectacularly in front of Cippolini, Jaan Kirsipuu and Domo rider.

Despite catching up to the remnants of a split up ahead, and a very organised chase by Domo and AG2r, Cipo failed to join in the concerted effort. The gap never came past the 36 seconds they had taken it back to. Up ahead, the race was being decided by constant attacks. Servais Knaven showed the class which won him the Paris Roubaix a couple of years back, when he launched an all out attack with 14kms to go. His team-mates Museuuw and Boonen were ready to latch on to any chases, and although Roger Hammond (Collstrop) tried to get across, a counter attack by Andreas Klier (Telekom), Henk Vogels (Navigators), Ongarato (Vacanze) and Boonen as escort, saw the final chase group established.

Knaven persevered through the final kilometres, and at one stage, the chasing group got to within 100 metres before sitting up. As he maintained his cadence, fatigue set in, and he was forced to dig in 2kms from the line, as the chase group consolidated at the front. What might have been an attack possibility for Boonen was overlooked, in favour of a sprint finish, despite constant communication with his team director via mic and earpiece.

And what a sprint it was. Telekom rider, Klier was certainly the strongest, and took the sprint in fine style, and although Vogels took second place, the final maneouvre to the finish line resulted in Boonen veering to the left, not sharply, but enough to head straight for the phalanx of photographers, ending his day with an unnecessary crash, head over heels, and in considerable pain.

A good result behind for Roger Hammond, who came in 8th, just behind Johann Museuuw. Waterfords Ciaran Power had a very satisfying finish to the race, taking 33rd place, some 6 minutes in arrears. Power was one of 49 finishers, out of a field of 164. After a delay starting racing this year, Power has shown that the time off has not affected his form, and the winter preparation has stood to him. His Navigators team will be satisfied with the

Performance today, gaining vital UCI ranking points, possibly opening invitations to other ranking races in Europe.

Cian Lynch. Asst. D.S., North Kildare CC