Lieuwe Westra beat Philippe Gilbert in 2011 Tour of Belgium prologue: Cycling News
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro cycling team’s Lieuwe Westra won his first time trail victory in 2011 Tour of Belgium in Buggenhout on Wednesday, May 25.
The 28-year-old, Lieuwe Westra took a total of 6 minutes and 36.85 seconds to cover the short distance of 5.6 kilometres.
Philippe Gilbert of the Omega Pharma-Lotto team was in second place with 71 seconds behind Netherland rider, Westra. Dominique Cornu of Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator was also in good form, but he grabbed the third place with difference of 1 minute and 76
seconds.
Sebastian Langeveld (Rabobank Cycling Team), his team-mate Maarten Wynants and Jens Debusschere (Omega Pharma-Lotto) were in fourth, fifth and sixth place, respectively.
The stage had only had seven curves, Tom Boonen and Andre Greipel was took advantage of that opportunity in the finishing circuit and grabbed eighth and ninth place.
After winning the first stage, Westra told the media, "I had come to the time trial to win, but I really had not expected to, normally I'm more one for the longer distances. It's incredible that I've won. I'm glad that I was successful, because Gilbert wasn't
far behind.”
Previously, Westra won Classic Loire Atlantique and grabbed overall second in three days of De Panne. He grabbed the third place in National time trial championship.
With 500 metres, the group of three cyclists Graeme Brown (Rabobank Cycling Team), Kris Boeckmans (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator) and Rony Martias (Saur – Sojasun) made first break. But Graeme Brown took lead in the first sprint of the race with 8 points.
Lieuwe Westra also took a lead in overall classification with the timing of 6 minutes and 37 seconds. Philippe Gilbert was runner-up with one second behind Westra. Dominique Cornu was in third place with the difference of 2 seconds.
Westra said, "I had to wait a while for the time trial win but it was worthwhile. Waiting made me even more eager. Today I felt the form is growing, Winning is a bonus and good start for the team at this Tour of Belgium."
The next stage of the race will start from Lochristi and finish at Knokke-Heist. All the riders will cover a distance of 162.5 kilometres.
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