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RACE REPORTS: 63RD KUURNE-BRUSSELS-KUURNE: TRAKSEL TAKES VICTORY
Road Bike Action
February 28, 2010
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(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Bobbie Traksel (Vacansoleil) has won Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. The Dutchman proved to be the most tenacious in the stormy weather, which led to a string of abandonments, including those of favorite Tom Boonen and yesterday’s winner Juan-Antonio Flecha. Rick Flens (Rabobank) was second, while British rider Ian Stannard (Sky) was third.
Winds of 120 km/h, rain and cold ravaged Belgium and thus the trail of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. A day after the Tour Het Nieuwsblad saw lots of tired riders and the hard conditions was clearly seen in the empathy of many others. It was therefore not surprising that there were several abandonments, including big names like Tom Boonen, Nick Nuyens, Filippo Pozzato, Joost Posthuma, Daniele Bennati, Greg Avermaet and Juan-Antonio Flecha.
Despite the weather, it didn’t take long for riders to take the initiative and go on the attack. A group including Belgians Gorik Gardeyn (Vaconsoliel), Gert Dockx (HTC-Columbia), Davy Commeyne (Landbouwkreidet) and Kevyn Ista (Cofidis) formed the first real break of the day, but the group was quickly brought back to the peloton
Once the group was back in the safety of the peloton, Vacansoleil riders, Bobbie Traksel and Arnoud van Groen went together to test the waters, but the latter was soon caught by the peloton. Traksel in contrast, increased his gap and was soon joined by Ian Stannard (Sky) and Rick Flens (Rabobank). Behind Cervelo teammates Jeremy Hunt and Thor Hushovd along with New Zealander Hayden Roulston (HTC-Columbia) gave chase. Even when it was decided by the organization to shorten the course by twenty kilometers due to the heavy storms, the chase group nor the peloton could close the gap.
With 30-kilometers still to go the leading group still seemed the least bothered by the cold and wet. The trio continued to swiftly push through and grow its lead over the chase group. Jeremy Hunt was the first chaser to crack and soon climbed into the team car. Moments later Hushovd also cracked, ending any chance of catching the lead trio.
With the collapse of the chase group meant the winner of this Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne would thus be a Dutchman or a Brit. Flens was the first to attack the lead group to test their strength, but his sudden attack at 10-kilometers from the line was offset by Ian Stannard. Not long afterwards it was Stannard that tried his luck, but his two efforts were not sufficient.
With just 2-kilometers to go the trio looked at each other more than forward. Traksel attacked with the line in sight and with one last effort Stannard fought back, but in the final meters couldn’t over take Traksel or Flens.
63rd Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, 194-km
1. Bobbie Traksel (Ned/Vacansoleil) @ 4:43:16
2. Rick Flens (Ned/Rabobank) @ s.t.
3. Ian Stannard (GBr/Team Sky) .02
4. Hayden Roulsten (NZl/HTC-Columbia) @ 1:00
5. Dominique Rollin (Can/Cervelo) @ 2:59
6. Thor Hushovd (Nor/Cervelo) @ s.t
7. Sébastien Turgot (Fra/Bbox Bouygues Telecom) @ 5:40
8. Davy Commeyne (Bel/Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) @ 5:43
9. Grégory Rast (Sui/Team RadioShack) @ 5:54
10. Sebastian Langeveld (Ned/Rabobank) @5:55 |
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