92nd Ronde van Vlaanderen - ProT

Belgium, April 6, 2008

Photography

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Images by AFP Photo

Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) in disbelief after taking the biggest win of his career in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Devolder shows the joy of winning Flanders' finest.
Belgians Nick Nuyens and Stijn Devolder with Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha made up the 92nd Ronde van Vlaanderen podium.
Stijn Devolder, the Belgian champion gets the biggest win of his career.
Devolder holds up the trophy - one of the most coveted mantle decorations in Belgium.
Quick Step had a two-pronged attack with Devolder taking the lead when Boonen was unable.

Images by Stijn Vercaemer

Bellegem is Village of the Ronde and the hometown of 1958 winner Germain Derijcke.
Some young fans are waiting for the riders.
Look at the amazing crowd in the Tour village Bellgem.
Carlos Barredo (Spa) Quick Step
Angel Gomez (Saunier Duval-Scott)

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews.com

Watching the tense final kilometres on one little screen.
Nick Nuyens beat Flecha in the sprint for second place.
Flecha had a great race but couldn't close the gap with Devolder and eventually finished third.
George Hincapie and Bernhard Eisel were happy with the racing.
George Hincapie and Bernhard Eisel are also very worn out.
Filippo Pozzatto had dirty shoes after the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Filippo Pozzatto had a good race and eventually finished sixth.
Juan Antonio Flecha at the post race press conference.
Stijn Devolder seems to say : "Bad question. Get out of here!".
Stijn Devolder talks with the press after the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Stijn Devolder talks about his fantastic victory.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Paolo Longo Borghini (Barloworld) fights up the cobbled monsters in Flanders.
Luciano Pagliarini (Saunier Duval-Scott) had his ears covered as well as the attacks.
Carlo Scognamiglio (Barloworld) 'enjoys' the Tour of Flanders.
Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) crests over the top of one of the hellingen.
Ballan tackles the first 'cobbles' in Brugge, but they are rather laughable in light of what's to come.
Fabian Cancellara couldn't wait to get started.
Marco Corti (Barloworld) signs autographs for some happy kids.
Frederik Willems (Liquigas) doesn't really need any pushes.
The Molenberg is the first difficulty of real importance.
And when the going gets tough the tough get, errh, walking.
The start in Brugge where there is always a big crowd hanging out.
Cristian Murro (Lampre) struggles on the cobbles.
Claudio Corioni (Liquigas) flies along the bad roads.
Fabio Baldato (Lampre) has a lot of experience in these kinds of races.
Leaving the start house.
Make a left if you want to climb or a right to back out of the mess.
Michele Bartoli was on hand with expert advise.
Fabio Baldato (Lampre) takes a left-hander at good speed, and not showing signs of slipping.
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) was aggressive all day and separates himself from Flecha et al right here.
Tom Boonen had a strong team-mate and in the end it was a perfect day for Quick Step, even though 'Tommeke' may have liked to win himself.
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) shows first signs of dirt and exhaustion.
Michele Bartoli has won the race in 1996 and placed in the top 10 several times.
Ballan tries to bring the group back together and up to Devolder, but big brother Boonen was watching behind.
Quinziato on the Koppenberg hoping that the Flag of Flanders won't get caught in his drive system.
Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) storms up the Koppenberg, with the new shoes carefully protected.
Simon Spilak (Lampre) did a great race and was in the Boonen group in the end.
The podium with Nuyens, Devolder, Flecha from left to right.
Pat McQuaid enjoys the racing and hopefully all the differences with ASO can be sorted out soon.
Fabio Baldato (Lampre) celebrates another Ronde finished.
Devolder with the trophy.
Walking is certainly an option.
A Saunier Duval rider realises that it is true what they told him: "The roads are different in Belgium."
Devolder is hugged by staff right after the race.
These bikes are collected when the cobbles do them in...
Paolo Fornaciari (Lampre) before the start.
A smiling Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) poses for a memory shot.
The start was a mad house with all kinds of activities going on.
Early on the elements were in their element and throwing challenges and snow on the riders.
A hail storm cooled off everyone, but it didn't prevent an early four-man break.
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) was very strong on the cobbled climbs.
Devolder celebrates his biggest win to date.
Devolder used the ramp of the Eikenmolen to make his winning move and thoroughly enjoyed celebrating on the finish line.
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank) chased in vain, as Tom Boonen behind him was happy to discourage such kinds of behaviour.
The Koppenberg gives opportunity to test the robustness of cleats. Magnus Backstedt rides up through the mess, though.

Images by Elmar Krings

Rik Verbrugghe (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone) attacks the Muur.
Erik Zabel (Team Milram) doesn't look to be having much fun.
Italian and Flemish fans await their heroes.
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre - Fondital) had a crash earlier in the race and the results can be seen here.
Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) found it tough being the big favourite.
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) made a dream come true today.
Oscar Freire Gomez (Rabobank) flanked by team-mate Bram Tankink.
Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) came in the big group that sprinted for fourth.
Ralf Grabsch (Team Milram) finished over 9 minutes down.
Kurt Hovelynck (Topsport Vlaanderen) rode well to finish 28th
Serguei Ivanov (Astana) riding with Christophe Mengin (Française des Jeux).
The Muur after the action took place.
Alexandre Pichot (Bouygues Telecom) riding here in the last group on the road to finish.
Marcel Sieberg (Team High Road) was part of the same group.