It was a scene you’re unlikely to see anywhere else. The sun was barely up, having made a feeble attempt to rise on a damp, chilly Sunday morning, but already the restaurant patios were filled with customers. And in the hands of those customers were mugs filled with beer.

Unusual in most places, but not here in Belgium -- not when it’s the day of the Tour of Flanders. For many of the nation’s flamboyant, flag-waving cycling fans, Sunday morning was festive. And thanks to Peter Van Petegem and Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgian pros riding for Belgian teams (Lotto-Domo and Quick Step-Davitamon, respectively), the festivities will continue well into the night. Mugs will be clinked and toasts made in the name of Belgian cycling heroes.

Photo: Graham Watson

Van Petegem takes the top prize, his second victory at this cherished spring classic. And Vandenbroucke, second on the day, goes away knowing that, early in the 2003 season, he is back to being a darling, or at least a major topic of interest, to fans after the dark years he experienced following his involvement with a drug scandal that surfaced five years ago. As a Wallone, a French-speaking Belgian, Vandenbroucke may not be considered one of Flanders’ own, but the battle of two Belgians –- even if one wasn’t the fan-favorite favored Johan Museeuw –- was reason for celebration.

As for the 33-year-old Van Petegem, who beat Vandenbroucke here in similar fashion four years ago, there could be no greater prize.

"It was a perfect day for me," he said after the win. And most who witnessed the riveting battle on the worst roads this region could offer would agree.

Van Petegem was one of several home favorites going into the 87th running of the race, an edition made especially tough with some new climbs added to the 255km race over the ancient roads between the city of Bruge and the small town of Meerbeke. Other favorites included three-time champion Museeuw and, just maybe, Vandenbroucke, who had already shown signs this year of returning to the form he once had. In the end, Museeuw was unable to make history with his fourth win at Flanders, but fans were treated to another late-race battle between Van Petegem and Vandenbroucke in the closing kilometers.

SAVING THE WORST FOR LAST
It was no secret that the race would be won in the final hour. Even with conditions being more hospitable than usual — dry roads, temperatures in the lower 50s and just the usual Belgian winds — little would be achieved by early aggression. The first of 19 climbs came at 89km, and the final two hours seemed to feature every cobblestone road and path in Flanders.

"There are even more climbs this year," said U.S. Postal Service rider Christian Vande Velde before the start. "It’s just one after another, all stacked up at the end."

Long before hitting that first climb, just 5km into the race, the first break of the day was away, as Jacky Durand (fdjeux.com), Thomas Liese (Coast), Michael Rich (Rabobank) and Vincent Van der Kooij (BankjiroLoteruj-Batavus) worked up a lead that maxed out at more than 13 minutes.

With Rabobank and the talent-laden Quick Step-Davitamon leading the chase in the main field, the break began to be reeled in about 10km before the first climb. Also at the front early in the chase was world champion Mario Cipollini, surrounded by Domina Vacanze teammates who seemed to think perhaps there was a chance if things came down to a sprint. Cipollini, however, would later abandon, saying he had a cold and wanted to focus on defending his title at Ghent-Wevelgem on Wednesday.

By the time the leaders hit the Old Kwaremont climb, a 1500-meter-long ascent cutting a rough path up a green pastoral hill, Durand and Co. were struggling. Van der Kooij was dropped, barely able to turn the pedals as he was coaxed up the steep pitch with the helping hands of some fans.

Bettini gives chase

Photo: Graham Watson

Ten kilometers later came the notorious Koppenberg, which did further damage to the lead group with its 22-percent grades. Durand was dropped, leaving the two Germans, Liese and Rich, alone at the front.

Back in the main group, World Cup leader Paolo Bettini (Quick Step-Davitamon) pushed the pace up the climb, causing a split of eight riders off the front. Included in that group was Postal rider Viatcheslav Ekimov, assuming the role of team leader with the absence of classics specialist George Hincapie, out with an illness this spring.

"I know this race well," said Ekimov. "The thing you have to do is follow the big guys and try to get to the last 30 kilometers. Then you can make your own race."

Ekimov tried to make his own race by riding aggressively on the climbs and animating the race with several attacks. The Russian veteran, who returned to racing midway through the 2002 season after an eight-month retirement from the sport, would go on to finish eighth on the day.

Pieri

Photo: Graham Watson

THE FINAL SELECTION
With 47km to go, Liese was finally caught by Saeco’s Dario Pieri, who had attacked the Bettini group to get a gap of about 10 seconds. The Italian was later joined by Telekom’s Rolf Aldag, and as the faces changed in several chase groups behind them, Pieri and Bettini worked up a gap of 15 seconds at 40km to go.

Behind Pieri and Aldag, the attacks came in flurries, including attempts by Museeuw and Ekimov, but the decisive move came when Van Petegem attacked on the second-to-last climb, the Muur Kapelmuur, with 16km to go. To the delight of those beer-drinking Belgians, packed in bars all along the course, Vandenbroucke joined Van Petegem.

The two hit the bottom of the final climb together, and Vandenbroucke, knowing he would be outmatched if it came down to a sprint, made several attempts to ditch Van Petegem on the climb. Over the top, however, Van Petegem was right on the Quick Step rider’s wheel, and the two hit the mostly flat, 12km run into the small finishing town of Meerbeke with a gap of about half a minute over a group of nine.

In that group were some dangerous finishers including Stuart O’Grady (Credit Agricole), Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) and Nico Mattan (Cofidis).

Working together and exchanging words several times, Vandenbroucke and Van Petegem managed to hold off the chasers until the final 2km, when the endgame began. Vandenbroucke slowed, forcing Van Petegem to take the front, but when he finally made his move about 200 meters before the line, Van Petegem was effective. It was no contest as he left Vandenbroucke behind to add another Flanders win to his 1999 victory here.

"My legs felt great today, and knowing the course also helped," he said.

O'Grady

Photo: Graham Watson

The Australian O’Grady won the field sprint to finish third, 19 seconds off of Van Petegem’s winning time of 6:18:48, and he said afterward that he’s never had form this good this early. "This is the best form I’ve had in a long time," he said. "Let’s hope it’s a sign of things to come."

With the win, Van Petegem moved into a tie for the World Cup lead with Bettini. The World Cup continues next week with Paris-Roubaix.

If you would like to see how today's race shaped up, Clickhere to bring up our Live Update window.

Results – 87th Tour of Flanders
1. Peter Van Petegem (B/Lotto) 255 km in 6:18:48. (40.232 kph)
2. Frank Vandenbroucke (B), at 0:02.
3. Stuart O'Grady (AUS), at 19.
4. Fabio Baldato (ITA), at 19.
5. Nico Mattan (B), at 19.
6. Frederic Guesdon (FRA), at 19.
7. Serguei Ivanov (RUS), at 19.
8. Vjatceslav Ekimov (RUS), at 19.
9. Michael Boogerd (Nl), at 19.
10. Dave Bruylandts (B), at 19.
11. Mirko Celestino (ITA), at 19.
12. Fabio Sacchi (ITA), at 2:19.
13. Salvatore Commesso (ITA) 2:19.
14. Bernhard Eisel (AUT), at 2:19.
15. Dario Pieri (ITA), at 2:19.
16. Michele Bartoli (ITA), at 2:19.
17. Marco Serpellini (ITA), at 2:19.
18. Romans Vaisnteins (Lat) 2:31.
19. Raivis Belohvosciks (Lat) 3:03.
20. Stefano Zanini (ITA), at 3:10.
21. Guido Trenti (USA), at 3:10.
22. Fabien De Waele (B), at 3:10.
23. Enrico Cassani (ITA), at 3:10.
24. Gabriele Balducci (ITA) 3:10.
25. Tom Boonen (B), at 3:10.
26. Mauro GEROSA
27. Andreas KLIER
28. Chris PEERS
29. Rolf ALDAG
30. Oscar FREIRE GOMEZ
31. BenoÎT JOACHIM
32. Geert VERHEYEN
33. Andrea FERRIGATO
34. Juan Antonio FLECHA GIANNONI
35. Maximilian SCIANDRI
36. Serge BAGUET
37. Zbigniew SPRUCH
38. Johan MUSEEUW
39. Luca PAOLINI
40. Massimo APOLLONIO, at 6:38
41. Filip MEIRHAEGHE
42. Steven DE JONGH
43. Erik ZABEL
44. Malte URBAN
45. MatthÉ PRONK
46. Christophe MENGIN
47. Andrea TAFI
48. Roger HAMMOND
49. Philippe GAUMONT
50. Bradley WIGGINS
51. Karsten KROON
52. Martin ELMIGER
53. Stijn DEVOLDER
54. Marco MILESI
55. Matteo TOSSATO
56. Roberto PETITO
57. Jan SCHAFFRATH
58. Gabriele MISSAGLIA
59. Ludovic CAPELLE
60. Paolo FORNACIARI
61. Thorsten RUND
62. Baden COOKE
63. Jo PLANCKAERT
64. Nicolas JALABERT
65. Bert GRABSCH
66. Marc WAUTERS
67. Mario SCIREA
68. Steffen WESEMANN
69. Bart VOSKAMP
70. Giovanni LOMBARDI
71. Tristan HOFFMAN
72. Daniele NARDELLO
73. Fabian CANCELLARA, at 10:26
74. Alberto ONGARATO
75. Jan BOVEN, at 11:34
76. Thomas LIESE
77. Robert SASSONE
78. Wim VANSEVENANT
79. Marco ZANOTTI, at 14:09
80. Bram SCHMITZ
81. Stefan KUPFERNAGEL
82. Mathew HAYMAN
83. Bert ROESEMS, at 15:20
84. Wilfried CRETSKENS
85. Paul VAN HYFTE
86. Servais KNAVEN
87. Daniel BECKE
88. Alessandro CORTINOVIS
89. Andy DE SMET
90. Christopher JENNER
91. James VANLANDSCHOOT
92. Stefano CASAGRANDE
93. Gianluco SIRONI
94. Johan DEKKERS

193 starters, 94 finishers