Belgian Champ Devolder Takes Flanders

Devolder, at home on the cobbles, won his first monument on Sunday

Quick Step's Belgian champion, Stijn Devolder, took the biggest win of his career yesterday at the Tour of Flanders. In a masterful move, Devolder rode away from the field more than 30 kilometers from the finish, and held on to solo home ahead of Nick Nuyens of the Cofidis team and the Spaniard, Juan Antionio Flecha. Under wet, slippery conditions, the 28 year old Devolder made good on his potential with the Flanders win.

The Belgian Championships podium: Boonen, Devolder, Gilbert

Quick Step came into Flanders with the most pressure to achieve, as they haven't performed up to their high standards thus far in the season. Tom Boonen has won his share of races so far in 2008, but none of them have come in any of the year's bigger races. In fact, his win at the Tour of California stands out as his best thus far, as he couldn't win any stages at Tirreno-Adriatico. So were the conditions that the Quick Step team entered the Tour of Flanders in, desperately needing a win for their sponsors and fans.

Nuyens fell just short and finished second

For most of the race, Quick Step made it look easy as Devolder rode at the front of the group marking any early attacks. Boonen was smooth on all of the early climbs, leading the group over the steep, cobbled hellingen. With the two Belgians hitting the leading group over and over, Devolder was eventually able to get away to create the winning gap. Boonen, playing good teammate, forced others to do the work. Sylvain Chavanel, Philippe Gilbert, Fabian Cancellara, Christian Knees and George Hincapie all worked alternatively to try to bridge to Devolder, but the Belgian was not to be brought back.

Gilbert rode hard, but was undone by Quick Step's tactics

Soloing home for the win, the moment wasn't lost on Devolder, as the winner burst into tears shortly after finishing the race. Tom Boonen, though not the winner, will be as happy as Devolder with the win, as a win for the team helps everyone. Devolder will now also be a man to watch for Paris-Roubaix, which will make it that much easier for Boonen.

Hoste came up short yet again after suffering a mechanical 60 k from the finish

After all was decided, all of the favorites for the race rode well with exception to Leif Hoste. The Belgian, ever irritable, could be seen at different moments in the race waiving his arms wildly in the air, expressing his frustration. After another year without a win, it is looking less and less likely that Hoste will ever bag a classic. Not only was he not physically up to the challenge at Flanders, Hoste's head wasn't in the game either, as he seemed agitated and frustrated throughout the race. Tonight, most teams will look ahead to Ghent-Wevelgem and Roubaix, but the Quick Step team and Stijn Devolder will celebrate with the most insane cycling fans of them all: The Belgians.