Tom Boonen takes 3rd stage of Circuit Franco-Belge

October 3rd, 2009 by Al Fresco 866 views No Comment

Today Tom Boonen won the third stage of the Circuit Franco-Belge. On the 178 k route from Antoing to Ichtegem the Belgian Champion was the fastest out of a group of 9 athletes that characterized the race. Boonen beat Roger Hammond (Team Cervelo) and Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin) after having demonstrated from the very first kilometres of the race just how badly he wanted this win.

“It was a very nice stage – explains Boonen – that the wind made even more difficult. In the final with about 20 kilometres to go to there was a decisive breakway with some of the best athletes in the group. At about 200 metres from the finish line there was a curve to the right. I came out very fast and managed to gain more speed compared to my adversaries in the sprint. There was a lot of head wind and no one was able to get past me. Today was like riding in a little Northern classic.”

“The team rode extremely well with a knife in the teeth – explains sports director Rik Verbrugghe – We were always present in the first part of the group. Only Devenyns who got a flat in a crucial phase of the race didn’t come out ahead. De Jongh’s action entering the circuit was a good tactical move. He forced Garmin to work to close the almost 3 minute gap and in the final Farrar was isolated. This was a great team race crowned by Tom’s smarts.”

Tyler Farrar’s third place finish was close enough to keep him in the overall lead.

Tags: cervelo, garmin, rik verbrugghe, Roger Hammond, Tom Boonen, Tyler Farrar