The Classics

['Dale]

 

Tom Boonen is also back at the front of the peloton.

 

['Dale]

It is time for sector 22 from Verchain-Maugré à Quérénaing. It has 3 stars.

['Dale]

The dry weather means there are hundreds of thousands of spectators along the race route. It also means the race throws up a dust storm as the riders and team cars blast past.

['Dale]

Demare gets back on to the peloton yet again. Now he needs to move up to the front.

['Dale]

 

There is only 25km to go until the Forest of Arenberg.

 

['Dale]

The peloton hits sector 22. The cobbles are very rough and covered in dry mud.

['Dale]

The Omega Pharma-QuickStep team is at the front of the peloton. While Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) continues to ride at the back.

['Dale]

The Trek, Katusha and Belkin teams are also near the front as the speed rises in the peloton.

['Dale]

The peloton is about to hit sector 20: Maing à Monchaux-sur-Écaillon.

 

['Dale]

The metal tower of the Arenberg mine is the sign that the Forest is approaching.

['Dale]

The approach to the Forest is slightly downhill, increasing the speed. A level crossing also throws up other problems.

['Dale]

The peloton enters the Forest of Arenberg!

 

['Dale]

The sector is 2.4km long and dead straight. Today i it packed with fans, packed on one side of the cobbled road.

['Dale]

Several riders from the break have punctured, leaving just four riders up front.

['Dale]

Andreas Schillinger (Team NetApp-Endura) is leading and looks the strongest.

['Dale]

 

The peloton is flying on the early part of the cobbles.