Follow cyclingfans on Twitter and never miss a race. Cyclingfans.com: The #1 destination on the internet for live race coverage.

- Note:  High resolution versions of all photos can be viewed by clicking the "high resolution" link under each photo.

Riders await the start of Stage 1 - Middelkerke to Oudenaarde, 201.6km
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

More photos below

Leif Hoste (Accent Jobs-Willems Veranda's)
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

French national champion Sylvain Chavanel and Francesco Chicchi of Omega Pharma-Quickstep
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

Chicchi
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

A breakaway group included Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto-Belisol), Steven Van Vooren (Topsport Vlaanderen), Ronan Van Zandbeek (Project 1t4i), Reinier Honig (Landbouwkrediet), and William Clarke (Champion System)
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

This breakaway and subsequent breaks would not make it to the finish
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

The lead peloton sprints for the finish line in Oudenaarde
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

Left to right: Peter Sagan (Liquigas), Fabio Sabatini (Liquigas) and Jacopo Guarnieri (Astana)
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

Sagan, left, edges out Guarnieri for the win
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

Guarnieri pounds his fist in frustration
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) on the victory podium
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com

Sagan in the 3 Days of De Panne leader jersey
- Click for high resolution -
photo Copyright © 2012 Fotoreporter Sirotti/cyclingfans.com