[1] His biggest wins included the semi-classics Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, Omloop Het Volk, Paris–Brussels and the classic Tour of Flanders.

His first wife was the Belgian multiple national champion, Evy Van Damme, with whom he had three children.

At the end of March, he prevailed in a sprint at the Dwars door Vlaanderen, after desperately trying to steer clear of the group in the last 20 kilometres (12 mi) of the race.

After the Muur van Geraardsbergen, one of the big favourites, Fabian Cancellara, was caught by the bunch.

[1] During the 2009 season he used a wood block under his saddle to prevent it from sagging in wet conditions.