When Philippe Gilbert (QuickStep Floors) attacked on the Oude Kwaremont, 55km from the finish of Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, it looked like a move designed to give teammate Tom Boonen a free ride in the group behind. Few, if any, would have thought the 2012 world champion hold on all the way into Oudenaarde.
It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise. Gilbert’s been in rare form so far in 2017, ever since he made the switch from BMC to QuickStep Floors; form that’s almost reminiscent of 2011-era Gilbert – the Gilbert that could do seemingly anything; that won 18 races in one year including all three Ardennes Classics.
Gilbert’s win on Sunday was a special one – the Belgian national champion, winning Belgium’s biggest race. By contrast, it didn’t end up being such a great day for Boonen, who fell foul of an ill-timed mechanical issue (or two). Pre-race favourites Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) were also frustrated by how things panned out, the former bringing down the latter, himself and Ag2r-La Mondiale’s Oliver Naesen in what was an avoidable crash. Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac), too, had a day to forget.
It was a reminder that few events speak to the unpredictability of bike racing like the Tour of Flanders. Of course, the same is true of this Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix …
Until then, we hope you enjoy the following selection of images from last weekend’s Tour of Flanders, from Kristof Ramon, Jered & Ashley Gruber, and Cor Vos.
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- Large crowds gathered in Antwerp for the teams presentation.
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- Peter Sagan was up to his usual tricks.
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- Three-time Flanders winner Tom Boonen was racing his final edition. He is set to retire after Paris-Roubaix on Sunday.
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- Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert had a strong lead-in and was one of the favourites.
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- Daniel Oss paid a brief visit to a roadside field at one point.
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- The Muur van Geraardsbergen returned to De Ronde for the first time since 2011. Fittingly, it was Tom Boonen that led the peloton up the famous climb.
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- Boonen’s tempo up and over the Muur forced a split in the field.
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- “Tom, I think we’ve dropped Sagan and Van Avermaet …”
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- “I’m going to attack on the next hill …”
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- Gilbert made his move 55km from the finish, on the second of three ascents of the Oude Kwaremont.
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- Gilbert hit the infamously steep Koppenberg on his own.
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- It’s rare to see Peter Sagan grimacing.
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- On the penultimate climb of the day, the Oude Kwaremont, Sagan increased the tempo and started to try and chase down Gilbert.
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- Only Van Avermaet and Naesen could follow as Sagan looked for a smoother line just beside the cobblestones.
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- After getting his handlebars caught on a spectator’s jacket, Sagan’s front wheel turned towards the barriers …
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- … bringing down the world champion …
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- … as Van Avermaet and Naesen also hit the deck.
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- World champion Peter Sagan’s facial hair wouldn’t be welcome at the Sport Vlaanderen team.
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- Van Avermaet was the least inconvenienced by the fall and was able to ride his way to second in a small sprint, 29 seconds behind Gilbert.
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- German champion Andre Greipel did his usual Flanders trick, getting off the front of the bunch at one point. He’ll get his chance at Scheldeprijs on Wednesday.
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- Former winner Alexander Kristoff leads John Degenkolb, a few minutes behind Gilbert.
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- Gilbert had enough time to celebrate his win in style.
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- The Belgian champ dismounted just before the finish …
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- … and held his bike aloft as he crossed the finish line.
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- Gilbert first, Van Avermaet second, Niki Terpstra third.
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- Could Philippe Gilbert be a chance at Paris-Roubaix this weekend, a race he’s only done once before? And what about in his favourite races later this month, the Ardennes Classics?