72nd Ronde van Vlaanderen 1988 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Eddy Planckaert and a Classic Flanders

SPECIAL NOTE: Because of the 1987 “Jasper Skibby incident” on the Koppenberg, the organizers took the famous climb out of the race route. A renovated Koppenberg would be re-instated in 2002.

A very strong field of riders started the 72nd Tour of Flanders. The sun was shining brightly from the start and lasted to the finish.

An early breakaway built a 21’01” lead at the 105 km mark of the race. Jos Van Eyndt and Stefan Van Leeuwe could not hold on and slowly came back to the peloton. Just after the climb of the Valkenberg (232 km into the race) Van Leeuwe was caught and dropped by a small group of chasers.

Marc Sergeant, Rudy Dhaenens and Phil Anderson tried unsuccessfully to escape. Adri Van Der Poel attacked again in Geraardsbergen and left them all behind over the top of the Muur de Grammont. Anderson and Eddy Planckaert bridged the gap and accompanied Van Der Poel into the closing kilometers. Anderson broke away on the Bosberg. Only Planckaert could follow him with 13 kms to go. A tired Van Der Poel cracked and was dropped.

Despite numerous attacks by Anderson entering Meerbeke, the two stayed together until the finishing straight. There Eddy Planckaert easily out sprinted the Australian to take the victory.

RVV 1987

RVV 1989

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