Jos Van Emden (Belkin) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto) finished third in last year's Flanders(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Boom, Boom, Boom: Lars Boom leads the Belkin squad(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Tinkoff - Saxo check out the course for Flanders(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The Tinkoff - Saxo riders are without a clear favourite ahead of the race but have plenty of experience(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Room for two? Belkin and Omega share the cobbles(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Oscar Gatto and Peter Sagan will take on Trek and Omega at Flanders(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
A young fan picks her moment before launching a killer attack on Peter Sagan(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Peter Sagan (Cannondale) tests his legs ahead of Sunday's race(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Thor Hushovd (BMC) will be working for Greg Van Avermaet in Flanders(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Sep Vanmarcke will lead the Belkin challenge in Flanders(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Both Belkin and Omega Pharma QuickStep trained on the course(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Can Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma - QuickStep) find his top form in time?(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma - QuickStep)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma - QuickStep) stretches his legs and his team(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
On the eve of the Tour of Flanders, the peloton is putting the last touches on their preparation - scouting the critical cobbled sections in between press conferences, massages, meals, and studying the road book, all the while trying to keep the nerves calm.
Race favourites, outsiders and domestiques alike mingled with locals and enthusiastic visitors on the famed cobbled ascents, highlighting the unique beauty of cycling, where the fans and the famous athletes come together on the same pitch.
A crystal clear day preceded this year's Tour of Flanders, and it's the calm before the storm. Sunday morning, the clouds will roll in, the cars will kick up plumes of dust across the countryside, and the gladiators will clash in the most beautiful of cycling spectacles.
Enjoy this gallery as you await the start of De Ronde.
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