Flex
DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2004

RONNIE'S HOLLAND HIGH
 
Written by: Greg Merritt
 
The Dutch Grand Prix on November 6 was perhaps the most entertaining show I've ever seen in over 15 years of competing or attending. Start with the fact it's in Amsterdam, which makes Las Vegas look like Salt Lake City. Then put it in a warehouse nightclub setting with a rock band warmup, six bars, nearly nude cocktail waitresses (who also served as "IFBB expediters/dancers"), a mind-altering laser light show, a cabaret-style stage and an effusive crowd that came foremost to have a great time.
 
Oh yeah, and there was a contest too. Some guy named Ronnie Coleman won again. Chris Cormier was far from his best, but diced abs aren't the most important thing in Amsterdam. Much improved from his Olympia condition, Mustafa Mohammed garnered a sustained thunderous response for his splendid posing routine to classical music; he was second in the posing round. Kris Dim was sharper than the day before in Russia and finished a solid fourth. The biggest surprise was smooth Markus Ruhl slipping to fifth (his Olympia position one week prior). Though not unwarranted, the judges seemed to have him in third after prejudging.
 
TOUR NOTES:
 
Michael Sheridan was fourth in the Russia Grand Prix on November 5 but was granted a qualification for the 2005 Mr. Olympia because Sergei Tsikunkol, who placed third in that show, is still an amateur.
 
New face Ramone Gonzalez of Spain looks like an older face. He's a dead ringer for a young Dorian Yates.
 
Milos Sarcev joined the tour in Amsterdam to emcee the show and assist his athletes, Kris Dim and Mustafa Mohammad. His expertise was needed when Mohammad cramped up in the prejudging.
 
Markus Ruhl changed his hairstyle dramatically before the final 6 were called out.
 
Sammi Ben Otman qualified for the Dutch Grand Prix by winning the amateur Dutch Championships hours earlier on the same day. He was the best conditioned bodybuilder in both the amateur and the professional shows.
 
Unlike the tension backstage and hard feelings in Russia, everything was groovy in Amsterdam. It must have been something in the air.
 
Now it's on to London for the third and final stop on the Grand Prix Tour and a different atmosphere yet again. As always, expect the unexpected. Team FLEX will be there with exclusive coverage. Watch for the full behind-the-scenes story of the tour in an upcoming issue of FLEX (with details too hot for this page), and check back for the British Grand Prix report and results tomorrow (Sunday, November 7).
 
FINAL RESULTS 1. Ronnie Coleman (USA)
2. Chris Cormier (USA)
3. Mustafa Mohammad (Jordan)
4. Kris Dim (USA)
5. Markus Ruhl (Germany)
6. Mike Sheridan (England)
7. Ronnie Rockel (Germany)
8. Ramone Gonzalez (Spain)
9. Sammi Ben Otman (Holland)
10. Tommie Thorvildsen (Norway)
11. Misser Milazzo (Germany)
12. Arnaud Plaisant (France)
13. Giovani Thomson (Holland)
 
COMPETITOR NUMBERS
 
1. Ronnie Coleman
3. Kris Dim
4. Mustafa Mohammad
2. Ramone Gonzalez
5. Markus Ruhl
6. Michael Sheridan
7. Ronnie Rockel
8. Chris Cormier
9. Arnaud Plaisant
10. Misser Milazzo
11. Tommie Thorvildsen
12. Sammi Ben Otman
13. Giovanni Thomson

Holland GP pic



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