Andre Greipel won the opening stage of the Three Days De Panne in Belgium today.
This race around the interior of Belgium saw the riders which included Bradley Wiggins, who like many riders, including Brits Russ Downing, Peter Kennaught, Ben Swift and Matt Bremmeier, was using this as preparation for Sunday's Tour Of Flanders, started in Middelkerke and 194km later fnished in Zottegem.
It was a bumpy course today and one which saw two riders including Leif Hoste, requiring hospital treatment after crashing on the narrow country lanes.
Gert Steegmans was involved in a breakway and he ended up back in the chasing group, some ninteen seconds back of four riders which included Andrei Greipel with 45km to go.
Fifteen kilometres later, the lead riders hit the Haagboke cobbles with the peleton a minute behind.
With 300m to go, the peleton were catching but Lotto Omega Pharma's Andre Greipel made his move and shot over the finish line first ahead of Lieuw Westra.
Tomorrow's second stage is 219km long and from Oudenaarde to Koksijde.