Bortolami rides to Flanders success

Bortolami faced a tight finish

Tour de Flanders - Belgium

Italy's Gianluca Bortolami sped to victory in the Tour de Flanders world cup event.

A photo finish was required to separate team Tacconi rider Bortolami and Erick Dekker of the Netherlands as they sprinted for the line.

It was the Italian's third world cup win of his career.

"It's a fantastic land in which to win a fantastic race," said Bortolani who finished the race in 6 hours, 10 minutes and 12 seconds.

Second-placed Dekker was closely followed by Italian Denis Zanette, in third, and Rolf Sorensen from Denmark who finished fourth.

Home star Andrei Tchmil, who was favourite to win his second Tour this year, finished in ninth place and 12 seconds behind the leaders.

The Belgian broke away from the the pack on the climb up the cobbled Geraardsbergen, the last of 16 climbs in the Ronde.

The pre-race atmosphere was marred by the exclusion of Italian Fabiano Fontanelli of Mercatone Uno, who failed a blood test and was banned from competing for 15 days.

A second urine test was taken, the results of which are not yet known.

The Tour de Flanders classic is the second of 10 world cup races on the cycling season.