Image 1 of 88 Once Fabian Cancellara dropped Peter Sagan and Jurgen Roelandts on the Paterberg, the Swiss powerhouse went into time trial mode for the Tour of Flanders finale. (Image credit: AFP) Image 2 of 88 Tour of Flanders favourites Fabian Cancellara, left, and Tom Boonen chat on the start line. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 3 of 88 Fabian Cancellara celebrates his second Tour of Flanders victory. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 4 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) had plenty of time to celebrate his Tour of Flanders victory. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 5 of 88 "Fabian's the man!", says Peter Sagan on the Tour of Flanders podium. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 6 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) dropped his breakaway companions the final time up the Paterberg and now motors alone to victory. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 7 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) celebrates his victory for the second time at the Tour of Flanders. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 8 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) wins the 2013 Tour of Flanders. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 9 of 88 How sweet it is! Fabian Cancellara revels in his Tour of Flanders victory on the podium. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 10 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) time trials to his second Tour of Flanders title. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 11 of 88 2013 Tour of Flanders champion Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 12 of 88 2013 Tour of Flanders runner-up Peter Sagan (Cannondale) (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 13 of 88 Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) on the attack (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 14 of 88 Oscar Gatto (Vini Santini) showed good form but was stymied by ill-timed mechanicals. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 15 of 88 The Tour of Flanders peloton in action. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 16 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) drives the pace with Peter Sagan and Jurgen Roelandts in tow. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 17 of 88 Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) on the attack (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 18 of 88 Marcel Sieberg (Lotto Belisol) drives the break (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 19 of 88 Slovakian champion Peter Sagan gets some encouragement from a fan. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 20 of 88 Dutch champion Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 21 of 88 Stijn Devolder (RadioShack Leopard) is a two-time Tour of Flanders champion (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 22 of 88 Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) wasn't able to follow the acceleration of Fabian Cancellara. (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 23 of 88 Peter Sagan (Cannondale) pursues Fabian Cancellara on the Kwaremont (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 24 of 88 RadioShack Leopard riders set tempo (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 25 of 88 Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) on the attack (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 26 of 88 Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 27 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) flies up the Paterberg while Peter Sagan (Cannondale) begins to lose contact. (Image credit: AFP) Image 28 of 88 The peloton stretched out on the narrow roads of the Tour of Flanders parcours. (Image credit: AFP) Image 29 of 88 Slovakian champion Peter Sagan (Cannondale) was unable to hold Cancellara's wheel on the final ascent of the Paterberg. (Image credit: AFP) Image 30 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) drops Peter Sagan (Cannondale) on the final ascent of the Paterberg. (Image credit: AFP) Image 31 of 88 Top three at the 2013 Tour of Flanders (L-R): Peter Sagan, Fabian Cancellara and Jurgen Roelandts (Image credit: AFP) Image 32 of 88 For the second time in his career, Fabian Cancellara stood on the top step on the Tour of Flanders podium. (Image credit: AFP) Image 33 of 88 Your 2013 Tour of Flanders champion - Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) (Image credit: AFP) Image 34 of 88 Juan Jose Oroz would be the only Euskaltel-Euskadi rider to finish the Tour of Flanders. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 35 of 88 The Tour of Flanders peloton departs from the square in Bruges (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 36 of 88 Eager fans await the Tour of Flanders peloton. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 37 of 88 Daniel Oss (BMC) (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 38 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) waits for the moment to make his winning move. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 39 of 88 Johan Vansummeren (Garmin-Sharp) (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 40 of 88 Michael Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) leads Mirko Selvaggi (Vacansoleil-DCM) over the cobbles. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 41 of 88 Juan Antonio Flecha (Vacansoleil-DCM) (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 42 of 88 Costa Rica's Andrey Amador (Movistar) (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 43 of 88 Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) would crack the top-10 at the Tour of Flanders (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 44 of 88 Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 45 of 88 Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) ascends the Old Kwaremont (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 46 of 88 Luca Paolini (Katusha) climbs the Old Kwaremont with Juan Antonio Flecha on his wheel. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 47 of 88 Filippo Pozzato (Lampre-Merida) would not be able to duplicate his Tour of Flanders podium finish from 2012. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 48 of 88 BMC's Marcus Burghardt leads teammate Greg Van Avermaet up the Paterberg. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 49 of 88 As he's show in recent weeks, Oscar Gatto (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) seemed oblivious to the cold in Belgium. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 50 of 88 The sprint for fourth place. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 51 of 88 Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) took the sprint for fourth place. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 52 of 88 Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) crossed the line for fourth at the head of a 20-rider chase group. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 53 of 88 Marcus Burghardt (BMC) crosses the finish line in 22nd place. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 54 of 88 Luca Paolini (Katusha) at the finish in Oudenaarde (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 55 of 88 UCI president Pat McQuaid at the start of the Tour of Flanders in Bruges. (Image credit: Sirotti) Image 56 of 88 Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) on the Tour of Flanders podium (Image credit: Photopress.be) Image 57 of 88 2013 Tour of Flanders champion Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 58 of 88 The Tour of Flanders rolls out of Brugge (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 59 of 88 The Tour of Flanders peloton awaits the race's start in Bruges. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 60 of 88 The 2013 Tour of Flanders about to depart from its start city of Bruges (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 61 of 88 The peloton rolls off the start line in Bruges (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 62 of 88 Peter Sagan (Cannondale) finishes in second place at the Tour of Flanders, easily outsprinting Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol). (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 63 of 88 2013 Tour of Flanders podium (L-R): Peter Sagan, 2nd; Fabian Cancellara, 1st; Jurgen Roelandts, 3rd (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 64 of 88 2013 Tour of Flanders podium (L-R): Peter Sagan (Cannondale); Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard); Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 65 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) lays down the law on the final ascent of the Paterberg. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 66 of 88 Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) on the podium (Image credit: Les Clarke in Marcinelle) Image 67 of 88 Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 68 of 88 Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling) early in the race (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 69 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) at full force on the Paterberg (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 70 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) digs deep (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 71 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) at full speed (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 72 of 88 (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 73 of 88 Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling) on the podium (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 74 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) takes the spoils of victory (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 75 of 88 The 2013 Tour of Flanders podium (l-r): Peter Sagan, Fabian Cancellara, Jurgen Roelandts (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 76 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) celebrates his Tour of Flanders victory (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 77 of 88 The view at the start in Brugge (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 78 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 79 of 88 Here comes Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti) Image 80 of 88 An early race crash prevented Belgian champion Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) from defending his Tour of Flanders title. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 81 of 88 Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) crashed early in the Tour of Flanders and abandoned the race. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 82 of 88 Defending Tour of Flanders champion Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) crashed out early in the 2013 edition. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 83 of 88 And then there were three - Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard), Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) and Peter Sagan (Cannondale) at the head of the race for the Tour of Flanders endgame. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 84 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) soloed to victory at the Tour of Flanders (Image credit: AFP) Image 85 of 88 As ever, the fans were out in force at the Tour of Flanders (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 86 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) wins the Tour of Flanders for the second time in his career. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 87 of 88 Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) put on a show of strength to win the Tour of Flanders for the second time in his storied career. (Image credit: Bettini Photo) Image 88 of 88 Peter Sagan (Cannondale) outsprinted Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) for second place, 1:26 behind Cancellara. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) added a second Tour of Flanders victory to his immense palmares in emphatic fashion, soloing to victory in Oudenaarde.

Cancellara dispatched breakaway companions Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Belisol) on the final ascent of the Paterberg and had plenty of time to savour his win on the home stretch, having extended his lead to over a minute in the closing kilometres.

Sagan easily out-kicked Roelandts for second place while Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) led in the chase group for 10 seconds later.

Cancellara pointed to the sky as he crossed the line and then hugged is wife. He was the big favourite but managed to distance all his rivals and win alone.

"The goal was to win. You can't always predict how but it's amazing to win. A year ago I was on the ground. It's never easy but I'm really happy," he said.

"It was a strange race. It was fast at the beginning. There weren't many riders left at the end but I did the right tactic. Everyone expected me to go and I tried to make the first selection on the Kwaremont. I love the cobbles and so after that I did what I had to do."

How it happened

At exactly 10 o’clock, 205 riders left the crowded market in Bruges to kick off the 100th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

Temperatures barely reached freezing point, though the sun tried hard to warm up the riders’ spirits. Belgian champion and triple Ronde winner Tom Boonen received most support when he rode through the massive crowds in the medieval-looking town of Bruges.

However after just 19km of fast racing, Boonen was also the first rider to be named on race radio when the race passed through Lichtervelde. Boonen rode into some traffic furniture and injured his knee, hip and back. He was left lying at the side of a big road outside the town centre and clearly suffering from a lot of pain. For a brief moment the triple winner of the Ronde tried to get back on his bike but that turned out to be impossible. His race was over and he left in an ambulance to undergo further investigation in the hospital. Fortunately x-rays showed he did not suffer any fractures but his spring could be over.

Back in the race, it turned out to be extremely hard to create the breakaway move. There was an attack by nine riders which got more the three minutes once the race entered the hill zone. However some chasing from Team Europcar and later the Radioshack team brought the gap down again.

Counter-attacks in the peloton turned the situation around. Approaching the three loops through the hilly part of the race route, only Jetse Bol (Blanco) and Laurens De Vreese (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise) survived from the early move. They were joined by André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol), Michael Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), Maarten Tjallingii (Blanco) and Marcel Sieberg (Lotto-Belisol).

The six leaders worked well together and arrived at the foot of the long cobbled climb with a one minute lead on the peloton. Bol quickly lost contact with his companions but the ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and Koppenberg didn’t change the race situation up front. The steepness of the Koppenberg forced many riders to put their foot on the ground, blocking the racing and then forcing a huge chase. One minute ahead of the peloton the five remaining leaders reached the feed zone where Cancellara crashed last year. Mirko Selvaggi (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Sébastien Minard (AG2R La Mondiale) profited from the cease-fire to bridge across to the lead group. Behind it was still a waiting game, with the big favourites watching each other carefully.

The leaders hit the second loop with less than half a minute advantage on the peloton. On the first slopes of the second climb of the Oude Kwaremont, Sieberg and De Vreese quickly got dropped. The peloton rushed to the Paterberg at high speed but the resulting waves concluded with a crash for Geraint Thomas (Sky).

Juan Antonio Flecha (Vacansoleil-DCM) lost contact with the peloton due to a mechanical on the Paterberg. After this nasty duo of climbs, there were only two riders left in front: Selvaggi and Kwiatkowski.

With 32km to go Yoann Offredo (FDJ), Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol), Sébastien Hinault (IAM) and Sébastien Turgot (Europcar) anticipated accelerations from the big guns, with an attack on the section between the Paterberg and the Hotond. Once over the Hotond only Kwiatkowski was able to keep up with these men. When diving back towards Berchem and the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg, the peloton trailed the five leaders by just 30 seconds, mainly thanks to the work from Stijn Devolder (Radioshack). The race was still wide open.

Cancellara makes his move



Roelandts and Hinault distanced their companions, just before hitting the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. Roelandts then went alone once he reached the cobbled section. Behind Cancellara finally made is move. Everyone was expecting it but his immense power allowed him to distance all the other riders, except for Peter Sagan, who just managed to hold his wheel. As expected, they would fifth for victory.

Roelandts still had a lead when reaching the top of the 2200m long climb. Cancellara and Sagan trailed the Belgian by fifteen seconds as the rest of the break was caught. The rest of the field was blown away.

Roelandts tried to recover as he waited for Cancellara and Sagan. The trio hit the Paterberg with a 15-second lead over a 25-man strong chase group which was led by Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), Luca Paolini (Katusha) and Sebastiaan Langeveld (Orica-GreenEdge). However it was all about Cancellara and Sagan.

Cancellara led the trio on the steepest, cobbled part of the Paterberg. He looked back as Roelandts was gapped and then blasted away. Roelandts cracked and then just before reaching the top Sagan bowed his head in a sign of defeat and the gap opened. Cancellara did not hesitate and switched to time trial mode, tucked low over his bike, pushing a huge gear.

The race was over. Cancellara’s experience and power had defeat Sagan’s youth and speed.

