Greig Leach

Amongst the screaming crowds, the rough cobbled roads and the unending dust of the roads to Robaix, thes three road away from the rest of the peloton. Initially, the commentators, Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett, claimed that it was three Belgiums off the front. It would make sense, Belgium is the home of the spring cobbled races that kick off the season. Instead it was the Belgium National Champion, Yves Lampaert (Quickstep) leading his countryman, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) followed by the German sprinter, John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo). Van Avermaet was looking to hold his jersey and bring some joy to his team that has lost their captain and their second place rider is falling further and further behind. With just 17 kilometers to race, and only one more pave section, this was beginning to look like the winning move. You can see one of the soigneurs holding aloft a set of wheels in case one of his team's riders has a flat (or a broken wheel - which seem to be plaquing this stage).