2011 Tour of Belgium

The 2011 Tour of Belgium is the 81st edition of the Tour of Belgium cycling stage race. It takes place from 25 May to 29 May 2011 in Belgium. The race is part of the UCI Europe Tour. It begins with a short prologue in Buggenhout, followed by four longer stages, ultimately finishing in Putte.

2011 Tour of Belgium
2010–2011 UCI Europe Tour
Race details
Dates25—29 May
Stages4+Prologue
Distance727.3 km (451.9 mi)
Results
Winner  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) (Omega Pharma–Lotto)
  Second  Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) (BMC Racing Team)
  Third  Björn Leukemans (BEL) (Vacansoleil–DCM)

Points  André Greipel (GER) (Omega Pharma–Lotto)
Youth  Pim Ligthart (NED) (Vacansoleil–DCM)
Sprints  Marcus Burghardt (GER) (BMC Racing Team)
  Team Vacansoleil–DCM

Schedule

Stage Route Distance Date Winner
P Buggenhout > Buggenhout 5.6 km Wednesday, May 25 Lieuwe Westra
1 Lochristi > Knokke-Heist 162.5 km Thursday, May 26 André Greipel
2 Knokke-Heist > Ypres 187.8 km Friday, May 27 Aidis Kruopis
3 Bertem > Eupen 202 km Saturday, May 28 Philippe Gilbert
4 Oreye > Putte 169.4 km Sunday, May 29 André Greipel

Teams

Twenty-one teams have been invited to the 2011 Tour of Belgium: 7 teams are from the UCI ProTeams, 7 are UCI Professional Continental Teams and 7 are UCI Continental Teams.

UCI ProTeams UCI Professional Continental Teams UCI Continental Teams

Stages

Prologue

25 May 2011 Buggenhout (Belgium), 5.6 km (3.5 mi)

With only 7 turns in the course, the short prologue in Buggenhout was not technical and favored more powerful riders. One of these riders is André Greipel, who set the first strong mark at 6' 45" as one of the first riders. Surprisingly, the first rider to beat his time was his young teammate Jens Debusschere, who stayed in the lead for quite a long time. Eventually Sebastian Langeveld beat the time of Debusschere and from that point on, with the winds turning, a few more riders managed to come close to the time of Langeveld. Eventually Langevelds compatriot Lieuwe Westra beat his time by a mere four seconds to take the stage win and the first black jersey. The Belgian spectators were delighted to see Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert riding good times, both finishing in the top 10 after a period of absence following the spring classics. [1]

Prologue Result and General Classification after Prologue
Rider Team Time
1  Lieuwe Westra (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM 6' 37"
2  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 1"
3  Dominique Cornu (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator + 2"
4  Sebastian Langeveld (NED) Rabobank + 4"
5  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank + 7"
6  Jens Debusschere (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 7"
7  Cyril Lemoine (FRA) Saur–Sojasun + 8"
8  Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick-Step + 8"
9  André Greipel (GER) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 9"
10  Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Cofidis + 9"

Stage 1

26 May 2011 Lochristi (Belgium) to Knokke-Heist (Belgium), 162.5 km (101.0 mi)

The stage started with one minute of silence in remembrance of Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt, a former stage winner during the Tour of Belgium who died two weeks earlier as a result of a crash during the 2011 Giro d'Italia.

With around 60 kilometres to go and strong winds picking up as the peloton got closer to the North Sea, the Quick-Step team pulled the peloton apart by using the drafting technique, as such creating an elite group. Notable absentees in this group were leader in the race Lieuwe Westra, two time Tour of Belgium winner Stijn Devolder and classics specialist Filippo Pozzato who would finish several minutes back in one of the dropped groups. The elite group sprinted for the victory in Knokke-Heist, with André Greipel taking the stage win and due to the bonification seconds he also became the new leader. [2]

Stage 1 Result
Rider Team Time
1  André Greipel (GER) Omega Pharma–Lotto 3h 38' 14"
2  Kenny van Hummel (NED) Skil–Shimano s.t.
3  Maxime Vantomme (BEL) Team Katusha s.t.
4  Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick-Step s.t.
5  Nikolay Trusov (RUS) Team Katusha s.t.
6  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM s.t.
7  Allan Davis (AUS) Astana s.t.
8  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank s.t.
9  Michael Van Staeyen (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator s.t.
10  Aidis Kruopis (LTU) Landbouwkrediet s.t.
General Classification after Stage 1
Rider Team Time
1  André Greipel (GER) Omega Pharma–Lotto 3h 44' 49"
2  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 2"
3  Dominique Cornu (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator + 3"
4  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank + 8"
5  Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick-Step s.t.
6  Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Cofidis + 10"
7  Sebastian Langeveld (NED) Rabobank s.t.
8  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 13"
9  John Murphy (USA) BMC Racing Team s.t.
10  Jens Debusschere (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 14"

Stage 2

27 May 2011 Knokke-Heist (Belgium) to Ypres (Belgium), 187.8 km (116.7 mi)

Just a few kilometres into the stage, five riders broke away from the peloton: Koen Barbé, Marcus Burghardt, Niko Eeckhout, Jens Mouris and Luca Paolini. The breakaway group got a lead of up to four minutes, but was caught just after the second climb of the Kemmelberg by Philippe Gilbert. Soon after, about 20 other riders also closed the gap, while Gilbert had managed to win the last intermediate sprint of the day, which gave him enough time bonus to overtake his teammate André Greipel in the standings. The lead group increased to almost 60 riders and with the finish line coming closer it was hard for anyone to get away from the pack. A late solo breakaway by Jelle Wallays was ended just 2 kilometres from the finish and the group sprinted for the stage win. In the sprint, Tom Boonen and Allan Davis came up strongly to the front but faded early, allowing Aidis Kruopis to overtake them in the final metres and book the biggest win of his young career. André Greipel lost both the black jersey for the overall lead and the yellow jersey of the points classification, respectively to Philippe Gilbert and Tom Boonen. [3]

Stage 2 Result
Rider Team Time
1  Aidis Kruopis (LTU) Landbouwkrediet 4h 21' 41"
2  Stefan van Dijk (NED) Veranda's Willems–Accent s.t.
3  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM s.t.
4  Allan Davis (AUS) Astana s.t.
5  Pieter Ghyllebert (BEL) An Post–Sean Kelly s.t.
6  Maxime Vantomme (BEL) Team Katusha s.t.
7  Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick-Step s.t.
8  Tom Meeusen (BEL) Telenet-Fidea s.t.
9  Rafaa Chtioui (TUN) Acqua & Sapone s.t.
10  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank s.t.
General Classification after Stage 2
Rider Team Time
1  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto 8h 06' 29"
2  André Greipel (GER) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 1"
3  Dominique Cornu (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator + 4"
4  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank + 9"
5  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 10"
6  Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick-Step + 11"
7  Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Cofidis + 11"
8  Sebastian Langeveld (NED) Rabobank + 14"
9  Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing Team + 16"
10  Cyril Lemoine (FRA) Saur–Sojasun + 17"

Stage 3

28 May 2011 Bertem (Belgium) to Eupen (Belgium), 202 km (126 mi)

Stage 3 Result
Rider Team Time
1  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto 4h 50' 47"
2  Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing Team s.t.
3  Björn Leukemans (BEL) Vacansoleil–DCM s.t.
4  Bert De Waele (BEL) Landbouwkrediet + 7"
5  Egor Silin (RUS) Team Katusha + 21"
6  Joost van Leijen (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 46"
7  Niki Terpstra (NED) Quick-Step + 48"
8  Sébastien Joly (FRA) Saur–Sojasun + 50"
9  Enrico Gasparotto (ITA) Astana + 53"
10  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 56"
General Classification after Stage 3
Rider Team Time
1  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto 12h 57' 04"
2  Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing Team + 19"
3  Björn Leukemans (BEL) Vacansoleil–DCM + 35"
4  Bert De Waele (BEL) Landbouwkrediet + 1' 02"
5  Niki Terpstra (NED) Quick-Step + 1' 18"
6  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 1' 18"
7  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank + 1' 20"
8  Joost van Leijen (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 1' 28"
9  Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Cofidis + 3' 11"
10  Maxime Vantomme (BEL) Team Katusha + 3' 25"

Stage 4

29 May 2011 Oreye (Belgium) to Putte (Belgium), 169.4 km (105.3 mi)

Stage 4 Result
Rider Team Time
1  André Greipel (GER) Omega Pharma–Lotto 3h 51' 43"
2  Aidis Kruopis (LTU) Landbouwkrediet s.t.
3  Luca Paolini (ITA) Team Katusha s.t.
4  Adrien Petit (FRA) Cofidis s.t.
5  Allan Davis (AUS) Astana s.t.
6  Michael Van Staeyen (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator s.t.
7  Stefan van Dijk (NED) Veranda's Willems–Accent s.t.
8  Tom Meeusen (BEL) Telenet-Fidea s.t.
9  Pieter Vanspeybrouck (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator s.t.
10  Olivier Pardini (BEL) Wallonie Bruxelles–Crédit Agricole s.t.
General Classification after Stage 4
Rider Team Time
1  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto 16h 48' 46"
2  Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing Team + 20"
3  Björn Leukemans (BEL) Vacansoleil–DCM + 36"
4  Bert De Waele (BEL) Landbouwkrediet + 1' 03"
5  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 1' 16"
6  Niki Terpstra (NED) Quick-Step + 1' 19"
7  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank + 1' 21"
8  Joost van Leijen (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 1' 29"
9  Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Cofidis + 3' 12"
10  Maxime Vantomme (BEL) Team Katusha + 3' 26"

Final standings

General classification

Rider Team Time
1  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto 16h 48' 46"
2  Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing Team + 20"
3  Björn Leukemans (BEL) Vacansoleil–DCM + 36"
4  Bert De Waele (BEL) Landbouwkrediet + 1' 03"
5  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 1' 16"
6  Niki Terpstra (NED) Quick-Step + 1' 19"
7  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank + 1' 21"
8  Joost van Leijen (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM + 1' 29"
9  Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Cofidis + 3' 12"
10  Maxime Vantomme (BEL) Team Katusha + 3' 26"

Points classification

Rider Team Points
1  André Greipel (GER) Omega Pharma–Lotto 71
2  Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto 71
3  Aidis Kruopis (LTU) Landbouwkrediet 65
4  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM 55
5  Allan Davis (AUS) Astana 49
6  Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick-Step 44
7  Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing Team 41
8  Maarten Wynants (BEL) Rabobank 39
9  Stefan van Dijk (NED) Veranda's Willems–Accent 38
10  Maxime Vantomme (BEL) Team Katusha 37

Young Rider classification

Rider Team Time
1  Pim Ligthart (NED) Vacansoleil–DCM 16h 50' 02"
2  Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Cofidis + 1' 56"
3  Maxime Vantomme (BEL) Team Katusha + 2' 10"
4  Michael Schär (SUI) BMC Racing Team + 2' 27"
5  Pieter Vanspeybrouck (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator + 2' 51"
6  Tom Meeusen (BEL) Telenet-Fidea + 3' 25"
7  Jean-Lou Paiani (FRA) Saur–Sojasun + 7' 24"
8  Wietse Bosmans (BEL) BKCP–Powerplus + 10' 48"
9  Bauke Mollema (NED) Rabobank + 13' 14"
10  Tanel Kangert (EST) Astana + 16' 20"

Team classification

Team Points
1 Vacansoleil–DCM 50h 29' 14"
2 Astana + 3' 01"
3 Team Katusha + 4' 59"
4 Saur–Sojasun + 5' 45"
5 Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator + 7' 44"
6 Rabobank + 16' 08"
7 Quick-Step + 20' 35"
8 BMC Racing Team + 21' 50"
9 Landbouwkrediet + 22' 23"
10 Cofidis + 25' 04"

Classification leadership table

Stage Winner General classification

Algemeen Klassement
Points classification

Puntentrui
Sprints Classification

Rushesklassement
Young Rider classification

Jongerentrui
Team classification
Ploegenklassement
P Lieuwe Westra Lieuwe Westra Lieuwe Westra Graeme Brown Jens Debusschere Omega Pharma–Lotto
1 André Greipel André Greipel André Greipel Jens Keukeleire
2 Aidis Kruopis Philippe Gilbert Tom Boonen Niko Eeckhout Pim Ligthart Quick-Step
3 Philippe Gilbert Philippe Gilbert Michael Schär Vacansoleil–DCM
4 André Greipel André Greipel Marcus Burghardt
Final Philippe Gilbert André Greipel Marcus Burghardt Pim Ligthart Vacansoleil–DCM

References

  1. "Lieuwe Westra just prevents Gilbert from taking prologue victory" (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2011-05-25.
  2. "Greipel beats Van Hummel, Vantomme and Boonen" (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2011-05-26.
  3. "Kruopis speeds past Boonen in the sprint" (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2011-05-27.
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