Gent-Wevelgem goes to Bernhard Eisel

An Austrian winner in Gent-Wevelgem yesterday: HTC-Columbia rider Bernard Eisel outsprinted his five breakaway companions to take the first classics win of his career. Second place went to the remarkable neo-pro Seb Vanmarcke of the Topsport-Vlaanderen team, who despite a superb attack in the final 3 kilometres still had enough juice left to stay ahead of Philippe Gilbert.

The six riders who sprinted for victory were originally part of a ten-men group that got formed before the final ascent of the fearsome Kemmelberg with 30km to go. Danish champion Matti Breschel seemed to be the strongest force until a flat tyre spoilt his chances. Nevertheless, Breschel belongs to the circle of top favourites for the Tour of Flanders after what he displayed again yesterday, especially on the Kemmelberg. Just like his Saxo Bank teammate Cancellara, Breschel appears to have a sixth gear when others have five!

Also among the group of ten was my race pick Oscar Freire. The Spaniard looked superb in bridging a substantial gap to Gasparotto and Gilbert earlier on, but then allowed himself to be tricked in the final kilometres by the two Liquigas-riders in the front group. When Kuchinsky left a gap, seemingly on purpose, Freire - and also Maxim Iglinsky - were way too slow to react. With the fastest sprinter suddenly behind, the other six did not waste a second to cooperate even better and extend the gap to last week's Milano-Sanremo winner. A bit embarrassing for the experienced Freire, really.

Gilbert and Jurgen Roelandts from Omega Pharma -Lotto were the only duo left in front, but Roelandts was apparently so knackered they gambled on Gilbert's sprint velocity. However, the star of last autumn has not yet found his superform back and had no response to Eisel. Seb Vanmarcke proved his appearance in the final of last Wednesday's Dwars door Vlaanderen race was no fluke, with a truly inspiring ride. A new Belgian star in the making?

Result

1. Bernard Eisel (AUT, HTC Columbia)
2. Seb Vanmarcke (BEL, Topsport Vlaanderen)
3. Philippe Gilbert (BEL, Omega Pharma-Lotto)
4. George Hincapie (USA, BMC)
5. Daniel Oss (ITA, Liquigas)
6. Jurgen Roelands (BEL, Omega Pharma-Lotto)
7. Maxim Iglinsky (KAZ, Astana) at 51"
8. Matti Breschel (DEN, Saxo Bank) at 1'01"
9. Tyler Farrar (USA, Garmin)
10.Luca Paolini (ITA, Aqua & Sapone)



Links

Highlights Gent-Wevelgem (final kilometres)
Highlights Gent-Wevelgem (hills)
Bernard Eisel