Fans and riders alike braved grey conditions in Middelkerke, Belgium this morning for the start of the 2010 Three Days of De Panne-Koksijde. Cyclingnews was there to capture these images as the peloton prepared to set off on the 198 kilometre journey to Oudenaarde.
While a number of ProTour squads have forgone the Three Days, the race still boasts a formidable entry list. Tour of Flanders favourites Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) and Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) both donned their rain capes for what will be their final tune-up for this Sunday's major Belgian Classic.
After learning of their non-invitation to the Tour de France on Tuesday morning, Skil-Shimano and Vacansoleil were in a mood that matched the weather, but indicated to Cyclingnews that they respond on the road in their typically attacking fashion.
