Ted King does a quick pre-race interview(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Andriy Grivko (Astana)(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Thor Hishovd radios back to his team as he rides to sign on(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Peter Sagan will be looking for victory today(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Alex Dowsett uses his bike to help him stretch(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Chavanel gives his bike a quick check on the start line(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Niki Terpstra already has a win this week(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
David Millar (Garmin-Sharp)(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Alejandro Valverde returns for another taste of the cobbles(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano)(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Fabian Cancellara makes a late dash to the startline(Image credit: Cyclingnews)
Many of the big names return to racing at E3 Harelbeke this Friday, after taking a short break following Milan-San Remo.
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) was in hot demand by the huge crowds that descended on Harelbeke. The Belgian looked strong earlier in the week and will be looking to add a sixth win to his record. Joining him in the team is Niki Terpstra, who won Dwars door Vlaanderen earlier in the week.
As ever, QuickStep is fielding a strong team, but they will have to take on the likes of Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) and Peter Sagan (Cannondale), who come back to racing at Harelbeke. Cancellara won here in commanding style last season, beating Sagan by more than a minute. The Swiss rider is on strong form again this Spring and could upset the home crowd.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) returns for more punishment on the cobbles. The Spaniard got his first taste at Dwars on Wednesday and replaces the injured Jose Joaquin Rojas to get a second go on the pavé.
With a strong field once again for the WorldTour race, we will get our first real insight into who is going well ahead of Flanders in jut over a week.
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