Boonen wins Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne photo gallery by Graham Watson

Tom Boonen took revenge for defeat in yesterday's Het Nieuwsblad by winning the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne semi classic.

The Quick Step rider sprinted to victory from a 10-man group, ahead of Bernhard Eisel, with Britain's Jeremy Hunt in third. Hunt led out the sprint with 300 metres to go, but Boonen passed him in the final 100 metres.

The leading group, initially of 13 riders, formed after the final climb of the day, the Nokereberg. Quick Step and Rabobank had numerical superiority, with three riders each. Rabobank's Juan-Antonio Flecha came close to winning, with a solo attack with five kilometres to go.

But Boonen's team mate Sylvain Chavanel chased him down, making the junction with less than a kilometre to go. Nick Nuyens attacked in the long finishing straight, but was closed down by Hunt.

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne - results

1. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step

2. Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Columbia

3. Jeremy Hunt (GB) Cervelo

4. Karsten Kroon (Ned) Saxo Bank

5. Tom Leezer (Ned) Rabobank

6. Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) Agritubel

7. Mathieu Ladagnous (Fra) Francaise des Jeux

8. Nick Nuyens (Bel) Rabobank

9. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step

10. Juan-Antonio Flecha (Spa) Rabobank

Riders pay tribute to Belgian rider Frederik Nolf, who died during the Tour of Qatar

Jeremy Hunt launches a late attack and eventually came third

RELATED LINKS

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne photo gallery by Graham Watson

Hushovd wins Het Nieuwsblad

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad photo gallery