He is not afraid of hard work. He is someone who can and wants to push hard on the pedals. Even if those efforts are not always rewarded. That was the case in the E-3 prize in Harelbeke and in the final stage of the Three Days of De Panne. He rode many kilometers at the front, but when the prizes were handed out at the finish line, he was nowhere to be found. Until yesterday, a fifteenth place was the best result Walter Schoonjans had achieved this season. Not very encouraging for someone who doesn’t weigh his efforts with a pharmacist’s scale.

In the 21st Grand Prix de Nokere, which this time was given a less favorable place on the cycling calendar—the day after Paris-Roubaix and on the eve of the road race in Wasmuel, which was used as an ideal springboard for the Flèche Wallonne—Walter Schoonjans was rewarded for his efforts on Monday. From the first to the last kilometer, he rode at the front of the race. Almost all the time, five other riders kept him company. Together with Patrick Cocquyt, Patrick De Vos, Dutchman Gerard Veldscholten, and Frenchmen Alain Bizet and Jean Francois Chaurin, Walter Schoonjans launched a breakaway that would last 140 kilometers. Despite reactions from Alain De Roo, Ludo De Keulenaer, Eddy Vanhaerens, Oscar Dierickx, Jozef Haex, and Kenny De Maerteleire, the six leaders were able to gradually increase their lead. It was immediately obvious that the race makers would also walk away with the biggest prizes. However, there was no six-man sprint on the cobbles of Nokere. During the last 10 km, the battle of the breakaways began at the front. Patrick De Vos was the first to take a chance. But the guy from Sint-Baafs-Vijve didn’t get very far. Then Patrick Cocquyt gave it a shot. His move was countered by Jean-Francois Chaurin. The Oosteeklo native did not give up, though. A second attack was thwarted by Walter Schoonjans. Schoonjans must have been feeling very strong, because on the hill of Wortegem, he went on the offensive himself. There were then 4 km left to ride. Schoonjans immediately made the gap. His rivals were beaten. Patrick Cocquyt could only use his strong final jump to finish second.

Andre De Brouwer

Result: 55 professional cyclists

1. Walter SCHOONJANS (Mariakerke) the 147 km in 3h 33min
2. Patrick Cocquyt on 45 sec.
3. Gerard Veldscholten (Nl)
4. Patrick De Vos
5. Alain Bizet (Fr)
6. J.-Fr. Chaurin (Fr)
7. Alain De Roo on 2 min. 10 sec.
8. Etienne Van der Helst
9. Patrick Vermeulen op 2 min. 40 sec.
10. Eddy Vanhaerens
11. Rudy Colman
12. Ludo De Keulenaer
13. Willem Van Eynde
14. Jan Aling (Nl)
15. Willy Sprangers
16. Guy Janiszewski
17. Ronald Van Avermaete op 3 min. 55 sec.
18. Marc Moens
19. Oscar Dierickx
20. Kenny De Maerteleire op 4 min. 30 sec.
21. Rudy Bormans
22. Willem Van Helvoirt (Nl)
23. Jan Nevens op 4 min. 50 sec.
24. Alain Van Hoornweder
25. Andre Coene
26. Hans Van Wilder
27. Jos Haex
28. Patrick Wijffels
29. Ronny Van Marcke