Australian riders Graeme Brown (l) and Chris Sutton ride to the sign on.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Garmin's Classics recruit, Johan Vansummeren, rides to the start.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Jurgen Roelandts (Omega Pharma-Lotto) looked composed ahead of the start in Deinze.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Dutchman Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano) doesn't feel the cold, apparently...(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Cervelo's Martin Reimer looking wicked in white rolling to the sign on.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Former Gent-Wevelgem winner Oscar Freire was looking to maintain the form that saw him win a third Milan-San Remo last weekend.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
A very serious-looking Oscar Freire heads to the sign on.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert was one of the favourites.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Spanish national champion Ruben Plaza (Caisse d'Epargne) before the start.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Servais Knaven (Team Milram) heads to the start.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Steve Houanard (Skil-Shimano) appeared deep in thought before the start.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano)(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Garmin-Transitions' Tyler Farrar was suitably rugged up against the cold.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
J(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Lars Ytting Bak leads the early breakaway on the Kemmelberg.(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Geert Steurs and Matth(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Vacansoleil's Matth(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Roy Curvers just after the breakaway.(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Johnny Hoogerland also chased the breakaway.(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Luca Paolini leading the bunch.(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Niki Terpstra (Team Milram).(Image credit: Tim Van Wichelen/www.organicwax.be)
Bernhard Eisel (HTC-Columbia) has often sacrificed his chances to help his teammates but the friendly Austrian finally got his day of glory at Gent-Wevelgem, winning the six-rider sprint that decided the Belgian classic.
Eisel let George Hincapie (BMC) lead out the sprint and then hit the front hard with two hundred metres to go. It was still a little early but Eisel is an excellent sprinter and had the speed to beat Sep Vanmarke (Topsport-Vlaanderen) and Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto). Hincapie held on to take fourth.
"It was such a tough race," Eisel said to Sporza right after crossing the line. "I was sure it was going to be really hard in the end. Breschel punctured out of the lead and then we lost Oscar Freire when we put him in the wind. Then I knew I had a chance to win and I had to take it."
"In the sprint I waited and put Oss in front of me because I figured he was the fastest in the group. I stayed on his wheel and looking between my thighs I saw George coming. I was really going well and past him straight away. Then I thought: that's going to be a long way Bernie… This is the biggest win of my career. Actually I never liked this race. It was never my favorite. I've always been struggling. It's only the second time I finish this race in nine participations. It probably suits me and now I'll love it."
