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 GHENT, Belgium (AP) - The Tour de France veered into Belgium on Monday, and Gert Steegmans responded with a victory before his home fans in a country passionate about its cycling.
"What an explosion of emotion it was after the finish," he said. "It was really important for the team. You could feel this enormous pressure because we're a Belgian team."
Steegmans avoided a late crash that slowed many riders and left them with scrapes and bruises. He led a 1-2 Belgian finish with Tom Boonen in winning a Tour stage for the first time as fans thronged the team bus.
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