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Vanendert and Gilbert salvage Belgian Tour honour

Vanendert, the 26-year-old from Neerpelt, only emerged as a player the final week, when he claimed
the red-and-white polka-dot jersey for the climbers. Clinching the 14th stage at Plateau de Beille — the first of his Tour career —Vanendert reacted with both delight and incredulity. Although he failed to hang on to the top spot, only two others caught him, meaning Vanendert was able to stay on the climbers’ podium, in third place, by the Tour’s finale in the Champs Elysée on Sunday. He also finished a very respectable 20th in the overall rankings.

A similarly impressive Tour for Gilbert, Vanendert’s teammate from the Waregem-based Omega Pharma-Lotto (also the stable for Van Den Broeck, Jurgen Van de Walle and Jürgen Roelandts). Gilbert was always going to struggle to stay as strong as his victory in the first stage of the Tour suggested, but he tried valiantly, eventually coming in 38th overall. Yet as a sprinter, Gilbert was a real contender for the green jersey, claiming it for a number of stages until Britain’s Mark Cavendish wrenched it away. Gilbert nonetheless stayed close enough to finish third, and – like Vanendert – was able to climb a podium in Paris on Sunday.

Plaudits too for Kevin De Weert from the Quick Step team, who was the top Flemish finisher in the overall rankings, in 13th place. The 29-year-old from Duffel finished just 16’29” behind the eventual champion Cadel Evans. His teammate, Dries Devenyns, 27, from Leuven, was 46th overall.

And nor should one forget Thomas De Gendt, the 24-year-old Vacansoleil-DCM rider from Sint-Niklaas, who came 13th in the youth standings. All this suggests that while Flemish riders could not claim any absolute glory this year, they were at least respectable. Now, they can enjoy a well-earned summer break, before planning next year’s gruelling season.

(July 26, 2024)