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 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 (%)
17Kluisberg99asphalt12505,3
16Nokereberg118cobbles3755,9
15Molenberg157cobbles/asphalt4637
14Wolvenberg167asphalt6457,9
13Oude Kwaremont185cobbles/asphalt22004
12Paterberg189cobbles36012,9
11Koppenberg195cobbles60011,6
10Steenbeekdries200cobbles7005,3
9Taaienberg203cobbles5306,6
8Berg Ter Stene213asphalt13005
7Leberg216cobbles9504,2
6Berendries222asphalt9407
5Valkenberg227asphalt5408,1
4Tenbosse233asphalt4556,4
3Eikenmolen239asphalt6105,9
2Muur-Kapelmuur249cobbles4759,3
1Bosberg252cobbles/asphalt9805,8

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.