The 2008 Tour of Flanders cycle race was the 92nd edition of this monumental classic and took place on April 6. The course was 264 km long and went from Bruges to Meerbeke.[1][2]

Tour of Flanders
2008 UCI ProTour, race 2 of 15
Poster for the events in starting place Bruges
Poster for the events in starting place Bruges
Race details
DatesApril 6, 2008
Stages1
Distance264 km (164.0 mi)
Winning time6h 24' 02"
Results
  Winner  Stijn Devolder (BEL) (Quick-Step)
  Second  Nick Nuyens (BEL) (Cofidis)
  Third  Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) (Rabobank)
← 2007
2009 →

Pre-race favorites included Fabian Cancellara (winner of Milan–San Remo and Tirreno–Adriatico), Alessandro Ballan (defending champion), Tom Boonen (winner in 2005 and 2006) and Leif Hoste (second-place position in 2004, 2006 and 2007).[3]

General standings

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Bruges > Meerbeke, 264 km (164 mi)

200 riders had started the race, just 101 riders managed to finish.

Cyclist Team Time UCI ProTour
Points
1   Stijn Devolder (BEL)[4] Quick-Step 6h 24' 02" 50
2   Nick Nuyens (BEL) Cofidis + 15" 40
3   Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) Rabobank + 15" 35
4   Alessandro Ballan (ITA) Lampre + 21" 30
5   George Hincapie (USA) Team High Road + 21" 25
6   Filippo Pozzato (ITA) Liquigas + 21" 20
7   Kurt Asle Arvesen (NOR) Team CSC + 21" 15
8   Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) Silence–Lotto + 21" 10
9   Simon Špilak (SLO) Lampre + 21" 5
10   Allan Johansen (DEN) Team CSC + 21" 2

Course

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Óscar Freire with George Hincapie at the Kwaremont.

The 17 Tour of Flanders hills were:[5]

Number Name Kilometer Pavement Length (m) Average climb (%)
17 Kluisberg 99 asphalt 1250 5,3
16 Nokereberg 118 cobbles 375 5,9
15 Molenberg 157 cobbles/asphalt 463 7
14 Wolvenberg 167 asphalt 645 7,9
13 Oude Kwaremont 185 cobbles/asphalt 2200 4
12 Paterberg 189 cobbles 360 12,9
11 Koppenberg 195 cobbles 600 11,6
10 Steenbeekdries 200 cobbles 700 5,3
9 Taaienberg 203 cobbles 530 6,6
8 Berg Ter Stene 213 asphalt 1300 5
7 Leberg 216 cobbles 950 4,2
6 Berendries 222 asphalt 940 7
5 Valkenberg 227 asphalt 540 8,1
4 Tenbosse 233 asphalt 455 6,4
3 Eikenmolen 239 asphalt 610 5,9
2 Muur-Kapelmuur 249 cobbles 475 9,3
1 Bosberg 252 cobbles/asphalt 980 5,8

After Bosberg there was still 12 kilometers to go.

Individual 2008 UCI ProTour standings after race

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Stijn Devolder on the Oude Kwaremont cobbles.
Rank Previous
Rank
Name Team Points
1 1   André Greipel (GER) Team High Road 62
2 -   Stijn Devolder (BEL) Quick-Step 50
3 -   Nick Nuyens (BEL) Cofidis 40
4 2   José Joaquín Rojas (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne 38
5 -   Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) Rabobank 35
6 3   Mickaël Delage (FRA) Française des Jeux 30
6 -   Alessandro Ballan (ITA) Lampre 30
8 4   Mickaël Buffaz (FRA) Rabobank 25
8 -   George Hincapie (USA) Team High Road 25
10 5   José Alberto Benítez (ESP) Saunier Duval–Scott 21

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Timetable". Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  2. ^ "Profile". Archived from the original on 7 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  3. ^ "Will it be Cancellara or can Boonen come good?". Cyclingweekly.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  4. ^ "Devolder clinches superb lone win in Flanders". Cyclingweekly.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  5. ^ "The hills of the Tour 2008". www.rvv.be. 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2008.