We're in Gent for the second cobble classic of the season. Today features 207 km of riding, with 6 cobble sections. Today's race will be decided up the four back to back cobbled climbs, with gradients all in excess of 7%. After a great win in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Tom Boonen will be looking to his superb team to keep the peloton in line and then to propel him into the lead up the climbs. If he's in the leading group at the finish, few would doubt him to be able to sprint to victory.
However, George Hincapie's impressive ride at the RVV has set him up as the biggest challenger to Boonen, but the American's lack of support could count against him. Here are the rest of the favourites:
Leif Hoste (Lampre - Fondital) - 10th in the RVV, he's hoping for a better result today Peter Van Petegem (T-Mobile Team) - The aged veteran took 3rd in the RVV, another podium position would be a great result for him Andreas Klier (Caisse d'Epargne) - 33rd in the RVV was an awful result for him, he'll be looking to make amends Juan-Antonio Flecha (Liquigas) - He's hoping his superior hill ability will give him the edge against the rest Fabian Cancellara (Bouygues Telecom) - Crommy criticised his performance in the RVV, and wants Fabian to take a top 5 performance.
