Eurosport - Sun, 05 Oct 23:44:00 2008
Sébastien Rosseler won the final stage of the Circuit Franco-Belge, but escape companion Juan Antonio Flecha took the overall victory.
The Belgian Quick Step rider took the stage win after a wet 133 kilometre trek from Château d'Havré to Tournai, but Rabobank's Flecha (pictured) took victory in the overall classification as the two men finished 31 seconds ahead of the pack.
"The weather today was absolutely awful," Rosseler, who finished second overall, said.
"I am really pleased with this victory. It was a great feeling holding my hands high up in the air crossing the finish line in first place."
Organisers were forced to shorten the stage by 30km due to the cold conditions and the rain.
STAGE THREE
Belgian national champion Juergen Roelandts won stage three of the Circuit Franco-Belge, ahead of compatriots Wouter Wylandt and Philippe Gilbert, to take the overall lead in the four-day race.
Lars Bak and Mickael Delage lead for much of the race, having broken away at the 46km stage, but they were caught with 12km remaining.
"I knew I was one of the fastest in this group, with Weylandt," Roelandts said. "In the last kilometre, Nick Nuyens put in a strong attack. But fortunately for me, Gilbert reacted. I'm so happy to win here. It's only the second time that I won with my Belgian champion's jersey."
Due to bad weather that is forecast on Sunday, the stage between Havre and Tournai will be shortened to 35 kilometres.
STAGE TWO
Australian Mark Renshaw won a wet second stage at the Circuit Franco-Belge beating American Tyler Farrar in a mass sprint.
The Crédit Agricole rider overpowered the Garmin-Chipotle man after the wet and cold 184.3-km trip from Bray Dunes to Poperinge.
Silence-Lotto's Jürgen Roelandts of Belgium claimed third-place for the second successive day.
Farrar, who finished second to Tom Boonen in Thursday's opening stage, was able to take the lead in the general classification from the Belgian.
STAGE ONE
Quick Step's Tom Boonen won stage one of Circuit Franco-Belge.
The Belgian won a bunch sprint finish ahead of American Tyler Farrar and Belgian champion Jurgen Roelandts.
"I am really pleased, as today's result confirms that after the World Championships I am still on great form and I'll be making the most of this," Boonen said after the 187.9km stage from Mauberge to Mons en Pevele.
"There was a lot of action and nervousness during the race today and the group was also split-up into smaller sub groups due to the strong winds. There were a few breakaway attempts with our team doing a fantastic job during the final two kilometres."
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