Greig Leach

For those of you who regularly follow my cycling art, you'll know how much I enjoy a title that has multiple interpretations. This is just such a title. Does it refer to the classic styling of the Belgium team jersey, the use of racing techniques employed in the Classics (mainly raced in Northern Europe in the Spring), or from the classic formation of the echelon? A few kilometers before the peloton hit the northern most point of the course, the speed suddenly shot up as teams positioned themselves for the turn into the crosswinds. Belgium hit the front and using the skill they have perfected riding on the winding flat lands of the North, split the peloton to splinters. Surprisingly, the Dutch and the Germans missed the move as the main peloton broke into two majors pieces, with others in groups of ten or less scrambling behind. The Belgium team was being led by Jasper Stuyven, but most of the team was here, including Jurgen Roelandts, Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet astride his golden bike that celebrates his Olympic Gold Medal. The Norwegian sprinters Edvald Boasson Hagen and Alexander Kristoff were among others that made the first group.