March 5, 2004 – Hi everyone. The stage was tougher than the profile had indicated with several shorts climbs. But in the end, it was the same result we were hoping for – a field sprint. The finish was ideal for Max (Van Heeswijk) so the team, with the help of Kelme,  went to the front with 30K to go to keep the race in control for a field sprint.  Pavel (Padrnos), Lance and I were left for the final kilometers. With 5K to go, Max was tucked in behind Lance, me and Pavel and we were keeping him in the front and out of the wind. With 1.5K to go, Pavel pulled hard, I pulled and then Lance hit the front with about 500m or so left. Max hit the front and won easily. It was a serious adenaline rush for all of us. A super team effort is always awesome! Max is flying right now. He is smooth on the hills as well. Erik Zabel had no chance today and was simply racing for second.

Results:

1. Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) U.S. Postal Service-Berry Floor     3.32.23
2. Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile
3. Peter Wrolich (Aut) Gerolsteiner                              0.01
4. David Etxebarria (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
5. Miguel A M.Perdiguero (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir
6. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Spa) Illes Balears-Banesto
7. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Com.Valenciana-Kelme
8. Xavier Florencio (Spa) Relax-Bodysol
9. Carlos Torrent (Spa) Costa Almeria-Paternina
10. Bjorn Leukemans (Bel) Mrbookmaker.com-Palmans
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42. Michael Barry (Can) U.S. Postal Service-Berry Floor