Driedaagse De Panne (2013) Photos March 26 - 28

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Despite injuring himself in a crash during Sunday's Gent-Wevelgem, Tom Boonen was at the start line of Stage 1 as part of the Omega Pharma - Quick Step's "A" squad that's taking part in their home event	Start panoramic in Middelkerke, sunny but cold	The rollout from Middelkerke
Katusha's Marco Haller leading the break on the Berendries hill at the halfway point of the race	Near the top, the hill max'ed out at 12.5 %	Tom Boonen and the rest of the peloton
Berendries panoramic	After Peter Sagan dictated the break, he also led out the bunch sprint	The photo finish between Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and Arnaud Demare (FDJ)
Arnaud Demare's sprint was somewhat impeded by Peter Sagan and the slight bend/narrowing of the road at the finish. But it's been said before, you never get boxed in when you lead out a sprint.	The outcome was uncertain at this point, but one thing we do know is that 5th place Oscar Gatto is a hardy cyclist crossing without any extra clothing in near-freezing conditions.	Peter Sagan's delayed victory salute, his second in three days
Peter Sagan gets the first race leader's jersey too.

Stage 2:  Oudenaarde → Koksijde, 204 km  Full Results and Report

You can see the awe in the eyes of the fans as the Belgian National Champion, Tom Boonen, makes his way to the start	Start scene panoramic in Oudenaarde	Another sunny but cold day in Belgium thanks to that cold Siberian air mass
The famous Kemmelberg was part of today's route	Kemmelberg cobbled climb perspective	The break with Nico Eeckhout (An Post - Chainreaction) and Pozzo Mattia (Vini Fantini - Selle Italia)
Who else isn't a fan of the full Astana kit? Andrea Guardini and teammate Jacopo Guarnieri	Onto the finishing circuits and a new break led by Astana's Jacopo Guarnieri and UnitedHealthcare's Alessandro Bazzana
Tom Boonen and his Omega Pharma Quick-Step teammates. Suffering from a leg injury he said he would not being starting Stage 3 tomorrow.	Mass sprint finish coming atcha in Koksijde	Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma Quick-Step) wins the sprint finish into the wind ahead of Italians Elia Viviani (Cannondale Pro Cycling) and, right, Francesco Chicchi, (Vini Fantini - Selle Italia)
	Mark Cavendish gives a hug to a teammate as he always does after a win	Your stage 2 winner, Mark Cavendish
New race leader, Arnaud DEMARE (FDJ), but by his own admission, the 3b ITT will do him in tomorrow

Stage 3:  3a: De Panne RR and 3b: De Panne 14.8 km ITT   Full Results and Report

The finishing circuits in De Panne during chilling morning road race	Stage 2 winner, Mark Cavendish nestled in the peloton	Mass sprint finish as expected
Nothing but green jerseys at the front		Just like last year, it's Alexander KRISTOFF (KATUSHA) at the front
Alexander KRISTOFF (KATUSHA) takes the morning (3a) stage	Yes! Alexander KRISTOFF also won the Stage 3a finish in De Panne last year.
Deja vu. Alexander KRISTOFF (KATUSHA) wins Stage 3a...	and just like last year, becomges the new race leader heading into the afternoon individual time-trial	And continuing with last year's theme, Sylvain CHAVANEL (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP) won the afternoon individual time-trial
He was a few seconds slower than last year, but Sylvain CHAVANEL (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP) wins the 14.8 km ITT in 18:02	2nd Anton VOROBYEV (KATUSHA) + 19 was also 2nd in the ITT at Coppi e Bartali last week	3rd Lieuwe WESTRA (VACANSOLEIL-DCM) + 21
4th Johan LE BON (FDJ) + 24	Alexander KRISTOFF (KATUSHA) fared better in the ITT this year, but his 6th place + 32s finish wasn't good enough to win the overall. He dropped to 2nd overall + 22s.	Mark Cavendish was 18th + 1:07
For the second year in a row, Sylvain CHAVANEL (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP) wins the 3b ITT...	and wins the overall	Your 2013 jersey winners: Sylvain Chavanel, Alexander Kristoff, Koen Barbe and Marco Haller