Team NetApp demonstrated a strong fighting performance at its Tour of Flanders debut. Andreas Schillinger and Daniel Schorn were part of the lead group of the day, helping to control the race for 150 km. 
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) was the first to cross the finish line in Oudenaarde, sprinting ahead of a three-man breakaway group. As a result, he celebrated his third win at the "Ronde" after having claimed victory in 2005 and 2006. Filippo Pozzato (Farnese Vini) and Alessandro Ballan (BMC) placed second and third, respectively.

The 96th edition of the Tour of Flanders was Team NetApp’s second monument of cycling, after having competed at Paris-Roubaix.  “Taking part in the Tour of Flanders marks another milestone in Team NetApp’s history. We gave it our all today in order to make a good showing. The lead group of the day pulled away 20 km into the race, and we were represented in that group by Andreas Schillinger and Daniel Schorn. The two of them rode with the group all the way until the first crossing of the Oude Kwaremont, a total of 150 km. That was a very strong performance by our two riders,” commented Team Manager Ralph Denk, who also served as the Sport Director for the race.

Unfortunately, the final part of the “Vlaanderens Mooiste” did not turn out quite so well for Team NetApp. Reto Hollenstein suffered a defect, and Timon Seubert got caught up in a crash. “Both incidents occurred at a crucial point in the race. Fortunately, Timon was only slightly injured and was able to keep riding. But neither he nor Reto were able to catch up with the field again. In spite of that, I think our first Tour of Flanders was positive overall. We really made a good showing here,” Ralph Denk added.

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