Tom Boonen was among the riders who took to the Belgian cobbles this week as a reconnaissance ahead of Sunday’s 100th edition of the Tour of Flanders.
The Etixx-Quick Step rider was joined by Niki Terpstra, among others, who finished second to Alexander Kristoff in 2015 and is another of his team’s options for victory in the Ronde.
Also out on the course were LottoNL-Jumbo, who will be working hard to lead Sep Vanmarcke to his first major Classics victory after a strong performance at Ghent-Wevelgem.
Kristoff, Peter Sagan, Fabian Cancellara and Greg Van Avermaet are also among the favourites for the 255km race, which runs from Bruges to Oudenaade.
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Etixx-Quick Step hit the cobbles
Tom Boonen and the Etixx-Quick Step team hit the Flanders cobbles on Wednesday ahead of the Ronde on Sunday
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Tom Boonen and Niki Terpstra
The three-time winner was joined by Niki Terpstra, who was second to Alexander Kristoff in last year's race
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Tom Boonen
Tom Boonen training for the 2016 Tour of Flanders
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LottoNL-Jumbo come across a road block
LottoNL-Jumbo found themselves blocked by a lorry delivering safety barriers along the route
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Robert Wagner gets past the lorry on the course
After hopping off their bikes and through the mud at the side of the truck, the LottoNL-Jumbo riders were able to carry on with their ride
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Cannondale hit the course
Cannondale were out on the course as well, performing a last minute reconnaissance
