Zanotti breaks through

Marco Zanotti (Liquigas-Bianchi) finally broke through with a victory in the last stage and the overall classification of the Circuit Franco-Belge, which finished in Tournai/Doornik on Sunday. Zanotti won a bunch sprint ahead of a returned-to-form Wouter Weylandt (Quick.Step), whose teammate Stefano Zanini took third.

"I have been in good shape for a long time," said Zanotti on Monday. "I've also collected some good placings, even too many...I was lacking a victory. Yesterday I've taken a big load off."

Zanotti now has two victories this season, meaning that he has won races every year since 2000. "It's not only a matter of numbers," said the 31 year-old. "After a thousand placings, I wanted to give a success to my team as a present."

Zanotti is full of confidence thinking about next Sunday: "I like Paris-Tours very much. My legs are great and my morale is good: I'm aiming at a great result."