September 11, 2006 – Without question, the biggest race on the Belgian calendar during the second half of the season is the one day classic, Paris Brussels. Although sanctioned by the Belgian cycling Federation, this 230km Hors Categorie journey begins in the Parisian suburb of Soisson, with more than half of the distance is covered on French roads, before hitting the rolling and sometimes cobbled Belgie thoroughfares into Brussels. With a hilly start leading to wind exposed open roads, and finally the short pitches near the finish, the course offers many opportunities for a successful break attempt. Nevertheless, the late season classic if often a contest for the sprinters, and as such draws some of the World’s best to the start line. Defending champion Robbie McEwen would test his Tour de France Green Jersey form, against World Champion Tom Boonen, and the likes of Rabobank’s Graeme Brown, Unibet’s Baden Cooke, and Liquigas’ Stefano Zanini with the full support of their powerful teams.

After an early race break was reabsorbed around the 70 km mark, a strong counter attack set 12 riders clear. Although their key sprinters were still in the main bunch, most of the favorites had team representation in the move, and the advantage rapidly grew to over 6 minutes. With the danger of the break getting too far out of reach, the Rabobank and Navigators Insurance teams sent riders to the front to keep the gap in check. Working with one rider from CSC and two to three Rabobanks, Navigators’ Glen Chadwick and Mark Walters set a strong pace that immediately began to bring the gap down. The chase lasted for 70 km, and on the penultimate climb, the peloton was back together. From here, it was a high speed dash to Brussels and the finish line. With speeds averaging over 60 km/ hr, the peloton charged into the city.

Navigators’ sprinter Hilton Clarke had been feeling ill, and forced to retire early in the race, so the American team was now setting up their “˜back up”˜ plan, Sergey Lagutin. The Irish duo of Power and O’Loughlin put their teammate in position, and Lagutin parked on McEwen’s wheel, who was sitting on Boonen and the Quickstep train. Inside the last 300 meters, Zanini pushed into Lagutin, forcing him off McEwen’s wheel and opening a gap. Lagutin recovered and accelerated to the line, but it was too late. McEwen surged past Boonen, and the World Champion’s lead-out, Steven de Jongh, held off the charging Lagutin for third.

Results — 219.1 kms

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto 5.30.39
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step-Innergetic
3 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Quick Step-Innergetic
4 Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team
5 Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Unibet.com
6 Wouter Van Mechelen (Bel) Chocolade Jacques-Topsport Vlaanderen
7 Frederic Amorison (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
8 Paolo Bossoni (Ita) Tenax
9 William Bonnet (Fra) Crédit Agricole
10 Kenny De Haes (Bel) Chocolade Jacques – Topsport Vlaanderen

116 Mark Walters (Can) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team