8 April 2008
Devolder Solos to Flanders Glory
QuickStep's Stijn Devolder roared to an impressive solo victory in Sunday's Tour of Flanders, confirming that he is one of Belgium's rising stars. The 28-year-old launched a ferocious solo attack with about 25 kilometers to go and held off late surges by Juan Antonio Flecha and Nick Nuyens to drive home a well-deserved triumph in the 92nd Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Devolder powered his Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2 to a resounding victory. He and the entire QuickStep squad benefit from the revolutionary SL2—there is nothing lighter and stiffer.
"The bike was perfect today," said Devolder. "I was able to focus on the race, and I felt really good. In the climbs, I was feeling strong, and the bike was stiff and reactive when I needed it to be."
Each QuickStep rider's bike is equipped with Roval wheels, which proved strong enough to handle the signature pavé (cobblestones) of the race course, yet plenty fast to clinch the win.
Winner of the junior version of Flanders 12 years ago, Devolder was part of a six-man breakaway that formed with about 40km to go in the 264km "monument" to carve his name among the winners in one of cycling's most revered events.
"Attacking was my own initiative, there were no team instructions. This is the race I've always dreamed of winning," said a happy Devolder. "To win here in Meerbeke, on my own like this and wearing the Belgian champion's jersey, is just unimaginable."
Rain, wind, cold and even snow turned the opening half of the race into a crash-fest, but skies cleared when Devolder powered away from the break just as it was being reeled in by a lead group of favorites that included two-time champ and QuickStep captain Tom Boonen.
Both Boonen and Devolder were equipped with Specialized Adaptalite™ Optics. With tint that automatically adjusts to light conditions, the Belgian duo could focus upon securing the Quick Step team victory, rather than changing lenses.
“With the unpredictable conditions today, I prefer to use these optics," said Devolder at the race start.
"Tornado Tom" left pursuit to the other teams while Devolder chased his shot at glory. Boonen looked strong in the key moments of the race, but waited to see how Devolder's ambitious attack would unfold. With his teammate holding off the peloton, Boonen will have to wait until next year to try to earn the Flanders hat trick.
"I had the legs to win, but the tactics in the race prevented me from showing that," said Boonen, Flanders winner in 2005 and 2006. "Stijn (Devolder) was supposed to serve as a launch pad for me, but the way things developed meant the whole scenario changed."
Devolder was impressive on the final two of the day's 17 rated climbs (on the decisive Kapelmuur and Bosberg) in the closing 16km to drive a slender 18-second wedge to the chasers. Wearing the Belgian national jersey with pride, Devolder then turned on the after-burners in the relatively flat final 12km run to the finish line and used his superior time trial skills so cinch the triumph.
Flecha gave chase with 5km to go and pulled within sight of Devolder, but couldn’t shut down the eight-second gap. Nuyens chugged away from the chasers with 3km to go to catch Flecha and claim second, but there was simply no stopping the driven Devolder.
"After the Bosberg (climb) I was afraid, I thought they would reel me in," he explained. "In the finale, I couldn't see the riders behind me for the motorbikes behind me. And didn't know they were only nine seconds behind me. If I'd known that, I think I would have panicked!"
Devolder never finished among the top 20 before in four previous starts at Flanders, now he feels like the King of Belgium. Also hyped as a grand tour hope after finishing strong in previous editions of the Vuelta a España, Devolder savored the moment as he crossed the line in Meerbeke with his hands held high in what's the crowning moment of his career.
QuickStep team director, Patrick Lefevere, had high praise for his newest superstar...and his team's bike. "I have known Devolder a long time, since he was a young racer. He is not the type of racer who can win in a sprint like Boonen. He can win when he is the strongest, like today. He has to win alone like that. He did it once before at Belgian Championships, and he did it again today against the best riders. I think it was the bike,” Lefevere said with a smile.
Defending champion Alessandro Ballan (equipped with Specialized helmets and optics) led the front pack across the line at 21 seconds back with Boonen celebrating another important team victory with 17th.
Facts on Stijn Devolder
Born: August 29, 1979 in Kortrijk, Belgium
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 158 pounds
Teams: Vlaanderen (2003), US Postal Service (2004), Discovery Channel (2005-07), QuickStep (2008)
Major wins: 2008 Tour of Flanders, 2008 Tour of the Algarve; 2007 Belgian championship, Tour of Austria; 2006 stage at Tour of Belgium; 2004 stage at Four Days of Dunkirk
Grand tours: 2007 Vuelta a España race leader for one day; 2006 Vuelta 11th; 2005 Vuelta 25th
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