Tom Boonen Ghent Wevelgem 2008
(Image credit: LUC CLAESSEN)

Oscar Freire became the first Spaniard to ever win Ghent-Wevelgem yesterday. We take a look back at an eventful edition of the race in pictures.

All photos by Luc Claessen/ISPA

Unusually fine weather made for a speedy edition of Ghent-Wevelgem

Ermanno Capelli's long, lone break shaped much of the day's action

Filippo Pozzato (l) and Matti Breschel jumped away from the main bunch to chase Capelli

Tom Boonen on the Kemmelberg: a lot of effort, but it wasn't to be Tornado Tom's day

Tour of Flanders winner Stijn Devolder lead the charge up the Kemmelberg

Philippe Gilbert (l) bridged the gap to Pozzato and Breschel, only for Breschel to puncture. Later Gilbert and Pozzato caught Capelli, but were swallowed up by the main group with 25km to go

Kurt Asle Arvesen (pictured) launched a late attack with Martin Elmiger, but was reeled in by a bunch powered by the sprinters' lead-out men

A chaotic final sprint saw Oscar Freire emerge victorious. British sprint star Mark Cavendish got caught up in the scrap and finished 17th

Ghent-Wevelgem 2008 podium (l-r): Aurelien Clerc (2nd), Oscar Freire (winner), Wouter Weylandt (3rd)

RELATED LINKS

Race report: Freire wins Ghent-Wevelgem

Cavendish disappointed after chaotic Ghent-Wevelgem finale

Will 'safer' descent cut down crashes?

Ghent-Wevelgem preview

Cycling Weekly Classic from the archive: How Barry Hoban won 1974 Ghent-Wevelgem

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