April 7/02 11:29 am - Tafi Takes Flanders

Posted by Editor on 04/7/02
 

Tour of Flanders - World Cup #2

Mapei-Quick Step's Andrea Tafi was the unexpected victor a few minutes ago at the Tour of Flanders, the second round of the World Cup. Tafi was a member of the leading group, along with team mate Daniele Nardello, George Hincapie (US Postal), Johan Museeuw (Domo-Farm Frites) and Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Adecco), after they caught the remaining rider in the early break - Erwin Thijs (Palmans) with 17 kilometres remaining (Thijs was out front for 205 kilometres). Tafi attacked repeatedly in the final 10 kilometres, softening things up for his team mate Nardello. It looked like everything was setting up for a five-way sprint, with Van Petegem and Hincapie the favourites, when Tafi attacked with just over 4 kilometres to go ... and nobody chased. While Hincapie, Museeuw and Van Petegem looked at each other, loth to make the effort and set up their rivals, Tafi's gap grew, and he crossed the line 20 seconds in front of Museeuw. Overall leader Mario Cipollini (Acqua & Sapone) finished 9th, at the front of the peloton, and should remain in the leader's jersey.

1 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei - Quick Step
2 Johan Museeuw (Bel) Domo - Farm Frites
3 Peter Van Petegem (Bel) Lotto - Adecco
4 George Hincapie (USA) US Postal Service
5 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei - Quick Step
6 Rolf Sorensen (Den) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
7 Enrico Cassani (Ita) Domo-Farm Frites
8 Gabriele Missaglia (Ita) Lampre-Daikin
9 Mario Cipollini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone
10 Eric Zabel (Ger) Telekom