82nd Grand-Prix François Faber - 19.09.2004 - Luxemburg

Report from the race

km 0 58 riders are at the start for the 82nd Grand-Prix François Faber on a course of 1 km around Avenue de la Liberté and Boulevard de la Pétrusse in Luxemburg-town. In 2004, the Grand-prix François Faber is organized together with the Gala Tour de France - Grand-prix de la Ville de Luxembourg.

km 0 After having abandonned the cyclosport-race "La Charly Gaul" in the morning after 100 km for mechanical problems, Pascal Triebel will take part in the race and he will be one of the riders to watch.

km 0 At the start of the race, there are also former professinnal riders Christian Poos and Tom Flammang, as well as members of the famous Pesant-Club de Liège.

3rd lap: After one relax lap, the serious things start: the speed is high (over 50 km/h), but nobody manages to escape from the field.

11th lap Pascal Triebel is the first rider to make a gap.

13th lap The rider from Differdange is still alone in the lead, with several meters advance on the peloton.

14th lap Behind Triebel, 3 are leading the chase: Bintz, Poos, Grosdent.

15th lap Triebel, Bintz, Poos, Grosdent are now together in front of the race. They have 20 seconds of advantage on the main pack.

20th lap The 4 riders still in the lead. The gap is growing slowly, but steadily. 4 different teams are represented in front, probably the strongest ones (Differdange, Liège, Tétange, Zéisseng)

25th lap 40" advance for the leaders.

35th lap The advantage still the same for William Grosdent (PC Liège), Christian Poos (SAF Zéisseng), Daniel Bintz (LC Tétange) and Pascal Triebel (CCI Differdange).

40th lap The Pesant-club de Liège, represented by Grosdent in the lead group, is the defending team in this race with the victory of Julien Goossens in the 79th edition of the Grand-Prix François Faber in 2003.

45th lap The peloton accelerates and the gap decreases a bit. Still an impressive average speed of around 50 km/h.

46th lap A chasing group has now escaped from the main field. They are 4 riders too: Belgians Henrion and Ferrari, Frenchman Perrin and the rider from Differdange Johansson.

48th lap The gap is less than 20 seconds, but it will be difficult for the chasers to come back. The victory will probably be decided in a 4-man sprint.

Finish The sprint is launched now. Belgian rider Grosdent is in the lead.

Finish William Grosdent wins the 82nd Grand-Prix François Faber with several meters of advantage on Daniel Bintz.