Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Photo by: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

After winning the Three Days of De Panne Ballan looked to further continue his Belgian domination. That domination continued on Sunday with Ballan taking an very impressive victory at The Ronde Van Vlaanderen ahead of eternal Flanderian second Leif Hoste. Hoste did all he could as he went with Ballan when he attacked
on Muur of Geraardsbergen. Until that point most all of the favorites bar Fabian Cancellara were ready to pounce. Tom Boonen lead the group up the climb but did not seem to have the extra power to drop everyone. A powerful Ballan pounced up the most difficult section of the climb and was then followed by a very clever Leif Hoste. The pair worked perfectly to maximize their advantage as the chasers behind tried in vain to launch attacks. But after more than 100 miles in the Belgian countryside the extra snap needed to close gaps was not there.

Photo by: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

In the final kilometers leading to the finish in Meerbeke it looked like Hoste was using his experience as a runner up to finally position himself for the win. The Belgian stopped working and tried to get into the right position to overtake the wiry Italian in the last hundred meters.

Then, in the last kilometer, Hoste forced me to lead-out. I did not think that he would ever come around me. When he did pass me I just hooked on and… [huge smile - ed.] After the crash in GP Chiasso I have been building now I am able to be so strong. I will go into Paris-Roubaix with calmness. Ballan told cyclingnews.com

Hoste positioned himself perfectly for the sprint, but Ballan kept his sprint going to the very end to overtake Hoste in the last few meters. This was a refreshing finale to watch ad shows all young racers that they should never give up even when the sprint looks lost.

Ballan now carries his form to next weeks Paris-Roubaix where he looks to capitalize on his fine form despite now carrying a giant bullseye on his back as a top favorite.

As for Quick-Step the race was a huge disappointment especially when they signed Flanders specialist Peter Van Petegem in the past offseason from the Davitamon/Predictor-Lotto squad. Petegem was nowhere to be found, Bettini has not been on top form due to crashes and injuries, while Boonen was taken out when he crashed earlier in the race. His lack of 100% form was attributed to a crash that took him out mentally. This is a bitter pill for the Quick-Step men to swallow since they rely on top performances in the Classics.

Boonen and Petegem have a chance for redemption next week at Paris-Roubaix, while Bettini who really did not have to race Flanders can go to Amstel and Liege with a more realistic chance at winning.

As for Ballan, five years after Andre Tafi won Flanders he can been looked at as the new Italian king of the Belgian Classics.