http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html After the great time we had in Belgium last year, we just had to get back to the Spring Classics. This comprises of three one day races spread over 8 days. The first is De Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders), the second is Gent-Wevelgem and the third is the Queen of the Classics, the Hell of the North, the one and only, Paris-Roubaix. Just to get fully submersed we decided to ride parts of the courses ourselves. http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#0 647eb3f0-37ae-4978-b1d4-2e1b20cce501 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0463/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0463/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">At the start of the Tour Of Flanders (Brugge).</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#1 3e070aec-045c-411c-8356-c11436dd0c95 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0464/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0464/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The square is packed on race day.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#2 7f792df7-eb77-4785-b72e-7d53a734c09c http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0466/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0466/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">UCI president Pat McQuaid oversees the start.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#3 0155a515-882a-464f-87dd-de41453bb690 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0472/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0472/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">And they are off! The mayor of Brugge fires the gun.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#4 204ae0e9-6546-4bd6-b707-d4a6a6ca142b http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0548/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0548/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Ballan leads the peloton into Oudenaarde.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#5 2c27d6dd-c1f7-4dd6-b364-4ebb31a0036f http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0566/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0566/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Boonen flies past the RVV Museum and it was snowing!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#6 5ba8e70c-29c8-4acf-a2f8-c63abc52c003 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0609/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0609/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Eventual winner Stijn Devolder leads Tom onto the Koppenberg.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#7 e80bd1c4-a473-43c3-8502-62ebcd35d84b http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0632/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0632/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Stuey O’Grady makes the tight, wet corner.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#8 1ab24d85-2055-41c3-9a7d-6396393a8958 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0676/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0676/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Looking up the 22% Koppenberg.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#9 ef7d2c4f-f74b-4dc3-aa55-834ae450fbf7 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0678/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0678/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Ballan comes off the Valkenberg (and leaves part of his hip on it).</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#10 4a81fd87-83fd-4c47-8de8-086edf8e3e1a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0681/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0681/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">... followed closely by Geoge Hincapie.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#11 8468307d-727c-4301-81c1-496a8d8030da http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0696/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0696/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Performing the drink driving test with Matt at Westvleteren.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#12 ffd93c3c-1afb-4bc3-9673-3e4b6e4d2f94 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1775/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1775/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Talking in some of the climbs of the RVV.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#13 b301ba93-8103-4653-9399-5f4c225cef62 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1782/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1782/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">On top of the Muur van Geraardsbergen.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#14 d3b1a405-96ca-4980-9a25-4ee936f7e7df http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0698/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0698/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Another sunny day for Gent-Wevelgem.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#15 07d4ddaf-f096-4395-8ae6-9a7af5728929 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0712/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0712/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Philip Gilbert rolls out.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#16 8a929a6d-a292-4587-b3e6-b1c9bddbcf97 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0716/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0716/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">and so does Ballan.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#17 8abbc69d-cb8a-4ff1-96de-691b610e616c http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0718/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0718/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Serguei Ivanov and team mate roll back in.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#18 09e43e5e-4c50-48b0-b934-4c70ec31a43c http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0723/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0723/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Mark Cavendish is ready to give Gent-Wevelgem a shot.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#19 eb4b290a-003a-47a8-acd0-616fbd5c6a9a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0730/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0730/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tornado Tom gives me the eye.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#20 e5870241-e41c-40a4-b73d-67b055dfc209 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0737/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0737/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_3">Peter van Petegem looks as fierce as he rode.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#21 036d2c9e-8e9b-439b-bd37-339619fdf4e9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0744/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0744/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">RVV winner and Wouter Weylandt (ends up 3rd in this race).</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#22 5d1b28ab-5403-45ec-9698-851731727a74 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0751/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0751/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The Belgian heart throbs get serenaded at the start.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#23 abc965c5-38d2-48c5-a8ec-cc421cafda4e http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0771/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0771/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Flecha (3rd in Sundays RVV) peaks under Cancellara’s armpit.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#24 737b7c60-ba1f-4f11-ad7f-0a30e2617e40 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0773/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0773/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Robbie and Zabel struggled up the Kemmelberg.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#25 e932e342-12be-4189-8e78-195c7e17b078 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0816/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0816/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">And so did Cavendish.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#26 fa035623-8bb1-40e5-99ce-6c2aeb9e59ac http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0818/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0818/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Eventual winner Oscar Freire.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#27 7b995191-4001-4038-97b9-52cd6d5511e1 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0877/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0877/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Graham Watson thinks hard about where to get the best shot.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#28 cb03e014-95ee-4ba3-8df5-40734b2ede51 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0882/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0882/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Pippo Pozzato giving it some.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#29 cd38b43d-e132-464b-bf16-2ee25f5659f8 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0896/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0896/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Stephan Wesseman on the Kemmelberg.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#30 36dea52c-4181-4c69-99da-baa39fc428cd http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0913/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0913/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tom’s out of the saddle.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#31 5206bc47-356c-423c-992e-eb78a0dfd8ea http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0932/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0932/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">We had the boat to ourselves in Gent.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#32 814db204-f2be-4fc8-8a42-da98cfd0e67a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0933/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0933/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Scenic Gent.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#33 c0a6654f-e8b0-4d15-b81c-31405a9193cf http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0937/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0937/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Old Gent.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#34 13902933-6c85-402c-9721-500f79017829 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0962/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0962/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Johnan Van Summeren signs in for Paris-Roubaix.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#35 8e9497cb-952f-4426-90b5-87bdaaec77bc http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0979/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0979/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">2004 Winner Magnus Backstedt</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#36 4caa5b09-89c3-497a-91f8-3622c5da4630 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0999/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_0999/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">2001 Winner Servais Knaven</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#37 90c01571-72b4-4fc1-9652-5e68d29ee394 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1009/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1009/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The two Toms (Steels and Boonen).</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#38 ca5695c3-d90f-4ecb-8aab-a97c9c2b15c9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1015/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1015/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">2006 Winner Fabian Cancellara</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#39 eac78694-eaaf-4464-9b37-60aaa7dbe23c http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1018/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1018/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">2007 Winner Stuart O’Grady</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#40 6607d788-cea1-4e6a-988c-a988c32ada71 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1038/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1038/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Pozzato shows Italian style.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#41 c4679794-1807-49c7-88f3-42d795b1e96a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1052/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1052/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The riders roll up to the start in Compiegne.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#42 073dce3f-3a40-4c9c-af7a-a5111d6ac646 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1055/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1055/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Leif Hoste didn’t have a very good classics season.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#43 e11dc53e-10cb-4323-b7ac-4fa349cfda20 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1057/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1057/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Nick Nuyens (2nd in last Sunday’s Tour Of Flanders)</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#44 676c17d2-5e84-4620-a699-4dfd723ce281 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1060/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1060/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The riders seem pretty relaxed ahead of 260kms of Hell.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#45 e52c5228-acab-4be7-9d4e-b4edfe5ac688 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1067/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1067/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">And they are off.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#46 82e63628-c213-4ab5-a2cf-f3f929db115b http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1099/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1099/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Van Summeren heads onto Sector 28 at Troisvilles.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#47 c969151b-24e1-4093-86e1-f050ae5985e1 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1111/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1111/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Flecha and Cancellara head to head.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#48 bbcea537-2ed4-4c6c-9329-a4307242bfd9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1115/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1115/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Hincapie and Devolder concentrate on the first of 60kms of cobbles.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#49 31827f57-4d9c-4493-b0db-211875fe940e http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1152/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1152/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">And the dust starts to kick up.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#50 1f7fba57-7ad7-4564-8345-22c404ed4875 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1165/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1165/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Blurry shot but check out the pain on Ballan’s face in the Arenberg.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#51 d6fae4cd-ded5-4718-97a1-5c0f447631e9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1167/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1167/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">O’Grady bumps through the Forest (Sector 18).</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#52 9d5830c3-ca0b-42b1-9355-1e7d034f386e http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1233/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1233/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Dunno who this is but the face says it all. Welcome to Hell.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#53 e509163a-4cbf-4eb7-8927-65effddc7bd9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1235/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1235/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Catching the race involves some tricky maneuvers.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#54 75f15b95-40d0-46b3-b4a0-fd13d5e4cb37 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1237/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1237/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Toms fan club at Sector 13 - Orchies.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#55 46a16a91-b93b-4752-9b85-f5fb6f8d5514 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1241/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1241/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">It’s a stampede!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#56 9715ec07-d635-46a6-b932-b9cb6004cb4c http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1243/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1243/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The herd is tearing it up.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#57 c2b446ca-b395-4784-b9ec-aa66318d01db http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1248/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1248/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Riders are looking for the smoothest  surface.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#58 92bfa45b-06f2-4dfd-8cae-23285682cacf http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1283/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1283/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">We made it to the velodrome to catch the finish.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#59 97f8578b-9b35-476e-82be-9d0735279f04 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1284/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1284/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">My brother Andrew was very impressed with his first bike race.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#60 36051f67-ff20-45f0-bc21-d111d7065269 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1293/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1293/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Watch the finale unfold on the big screen.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#61 044fb00e-986b-47ae-9805-13da7c6d2bda http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1303/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1303/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Ballan, Cancellara and Boonen cross the line on lap one.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#62 28cff03f-cfe4-4f35-82a2-8c6fadc190a0 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1309/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1309/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Boonen makes his move...</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#63 a104f88d-0e01-4965-8d1f-9749255f84e5 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1311/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1311/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">... and gaps the others.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#64 3a88c89d-fe63-4c39-bc77-a2463d57566d http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1314/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1314/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Boonen takes it for the 2nd time.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#65 0a577d7f-ba71-4ebd-a3ff-70ec43adcdef http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1318/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1318/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Martijn Maaskant comes over the line in 4th.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#66 4ef05ecf-5a30-4e2c-90d5-792d3e394b84 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1319/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1319/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The other contenders cross the line close behind.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#67 56f5c233-177d-4d68-9d48-730c148742af http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1322/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1322/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The Lion of Flanders roars!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#68 bccbe5bf-063c-46a2-ac29-d10a528259d9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1328/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1328/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The balloons are set off for the winner!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium.html#69 321f4517-88c7-4031-ab6f-866fd09d1f1d http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1332/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2008_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSC_1332/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tom Boonen holds the Pave as high as he can.</p></div></div>