National Luxemburgish Championships - 26.06-27.06.2004 - Oetrange/Niederanven

Report from the time-trial juniors:

A very open time-trial with an expected battle between Nick Clesen, the specialist (3rd of last-years time-trial) and Robert Schmitt, who should take advantage of the hilly sections of the course. And there actually was suspense until the end, because the gap between the two riders was of only 12 seconds at the finish line, in favour of Clesen. The third best rider Ben Gastauer also was less than 30 seconds late.

Report from the road-race juniors:

km 0 Start is at 9 o'clock in the morning. 25 riders have gotten up early in the morning to fight on the 6 laps with a total of 105 km.

2nd lap Some attacks in the field but the bunch is still together.

3rd lap A group of 5 riders manages to break away: Robert Schmitt, Cyrille Heymans, Ben Gastauer, Nick Clesen and Jempy Drucker.

3rd lap Two riders of Schifflange in this group (Gastauer and Heymans).

4th lap These two riders work a lot, as well as Robert Schmitt. Nick Clesen could be the strongest one in the group, but the climb is perhaps a little too tough for the time-trial champion.

5th lap The main group is over two minutes behind now. No doubt the strongest riders are in front and the winner is in this group of 5

5th lap Next to Clesen, Schmitt surely is one of the favourites for the race. What about Jempy Drucker, who is currently preparing himself for the cyclo-cross season?

6th lap In the last lap, on the steepest part of the climb ,Robert Schmitt gives everything. The group falls in pieces, Drucker then Gastauer are dropped.

6th lap Cyrille Heymans and Nick Clesen are chasing ten seconds behind Robert Schmitt.

6th lap The last kilometers should be in advantage of Clesen, but he is complaining about cramps.

6th lap The rider from Alzingen increases his advantage.

finish Robert Schmitt is Luxemburgish champion 2004 in the junior road race.

finish 19" behind, Cyrille Heymans drops Nick Clesen in the last hectometers to take second place.