The race was marred when world champion Nies Albert was pulled from his bike by a Nys fan, suffered a broken rib and was forced back into ninth place. Nys condemned the attack and pointed out that assaults on riders was becoming part of the sport.

Two other Flemish sports stars recorded victories this week: Kim Clijsters defeated fellow Belgian Justine Henin in a nail-biting final at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Australia on Sunday. She donated her winnings, about €27,500, to the Royal Children’s Hospital in the city, which she had visited.

Meanwhile, Yanina Wickmayer, who only weeks ago looked like she might not play again this year, beat Flavia Penetta of Italy to win the Auckland Open in New Zealand, her third WTA title. Wickmayer was suspended at the end of 2009 by the Flemish doping authorities for failing to fulfil whereabouts requirements. The ruling has been suspended pending an appeal.