The 55th edition of Nokere Koerse started for the first time from Oudenaarde, where a large crowd was present for the introduction of the riders.

168 UCI points were associated with Nokere Koerse 2000. It’s no wonder that 176 riders came to the start of this international cycling race.

The riders are ready for a tour around Oudenaarde.

The local favorite Chris Peers was very active.

After the early breakaway riders were caught with 3 laps to go, a breakaway including Chris Peers, Ronny Assez, Paul Van Hyfte, and Dave Bruylandts formed. However, they couldn’t stay out of the peloton’s grasp.

An attack by Serge Baguet and Geert Omloop also didn’t hold.

Everyone expected a mass sprint like in 1999, when Jeroen Blijlevens won.

But Nico Mattan and Hendrik Van Dijck put a stop to that.

Both riders just managed to stay out of the peloton’s grasp, and Van Dijck (photo) proved to be the fastest of the two. The Dutchman Koerts won the sprint of the peloton.

For Hendrik Van Dijck, it was already his third victory in Nokere. He clearly knows the secret to winning in Nokere.

After the race, he said: “In Nokere, it’s all about staying quiet for as long as possible and giving everything in the last 3 kilometers to keep the sprinters behind you. This tactic worked wonderfully for me today.”

On to the 56th edition for a 4th victory?