Photo gallery: The dust and the beauty of the 2017 Schaal Sels

There are a great many .1-classified races on the UCI’s Europe Tour but few capture the imagination quite like Schaal Sels.

In 2015, in the race’s 90th edition, organisers spiced up the event by introducing a number of gravel sectors and cobblestoned farm roads. That change had a dramatic effect on the event, turning what was an ailing one-day race into a genuine spectacle. The bad farm roads, the dirt, the mud — it all makes for compelling viewing and wonderful photos.

Two years on from the race’s reinvention photographer extraordinaire Kristof Ramon was back at the 2017 Schaal Sels over the weekend to capture all the action. As Kristof’s photos show, it was another tough day out on the roads near Antwerp. In fact, just 38 of the 121 starters actually finished the race.

Last year’s race was won by cyclocross world champion Wout van Aert and the 22-year-old again featured heavily in the 92nd edition. In the end he would have to settle for second, though, with Dutchman Taco van der Hoorn (Roompot) proving strongest from the elite lead group.

We hope you enjoy Kristof’s wonderful photos of the 2017 Schaal Sels.

Follow the links for photo galleries from the 2015 and 2016 editions of Schaal Sels.

: The race starts at the exceptional Antwerp Port House, designed by British-Iranian architect Zaha Hadid.

: The peloton cruises throughout the Antwerp Harbour during the neutralised roll-out.

: Racing with the Antwerp Harbour as a backdrop.

: Team Nippo-Vini Fantini leads the peloton early in proceedings.

: Cyclocross world champion Wout van Aert is caught up by a mechanical in a section where team cars couldn’t follow.

: Lending your team leader a wheel is just one part of being a good domestique.

: Maxence Moncassin (AGO-Aqua Service) waits for assistance.

: Brian van Goethem (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij) crashed between the team cars while trying to get back to the peloton.

: Tom Devriendt (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) tries to find his way back through the dust storm.

: Michael Goolaerts (Verandas Willems-Crelan) crashes and is helped by neutral service.

: Rob Ruijgh (Tarteletto-Isorex) tries to rejoin the bunch.

: Team Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij moves through the dust in pursuit of the race leaders.

: Kevyn Ista (WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect) and Olivier Pardini (WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect) ride together over a gravel sector.

: Kohei Uchima (Nippo-Vini Fantini) is dropped from the peloton and racing alone in the dust.

: Race leaders Taco van der Hoorn (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij), Tim Merlier (Verandas Willems-Crelan), Amund Grondahl Jansen (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Wout Van Aert (Verandas Willems-Crelan) emerge from the dust.