Het Volk, KBK Lend Insite into the Rest of the Classics Season

Belgium is the place to be for pro riders in the spring

The first weekend of the 2008 spring Classics is in the books, as Phillipe Gilbert took Saturday's Het Volk race, while Steven De Jongh, the veteran from the Quick Step team, captured Sunday's Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne thanks to the tireless work of his teammates in delivering him to the win. Gilbert rode away from the field nearly 50 kilometers from the finish in his 2nd Het Volk win in three years, while De Jongh took his second KBK after all six of his teammates blew apart the field, springing the 34 year old to victory. Gilbert gives his Francaise des Jeux team a prestigious Classic victory, while the beat goes on for Quick Step, who have already taken wins in Qatar, California, Algarve, and now in Belgium at KBK.

De Jongh won KBK for the second time on Sunday

Het Volk and KBK are offering clues already as to who is going well versus who is a bit behind the eight ball. Het volk fit the mold of a Tour of Flanders type event, made for bold attacks from hard-nosed riders, while KBK is more of a sprinter's race. This year's contenders were almost all present in at least one of this past weekend's races, which gave Euro Peloton the chance to check in on the progress of the Classics specialists.

Riders enter the city of Brussel before heading back to Kuurne

The Quick Step team took a bit of a beating at Het Volk, as both of the superstars of the team, Boonen and Bettini, finished well behind the winner on the day. At KBK things went better, as teammate De Jongh took the win and Boonen placed a very solid fourth. The only downside was that world champ Bettini was involved in an early crash, sending him out of the race and to the hospital for examination. Early reports suggest that Bettini is OK. Both Bettini and Boonen are coming off a long week in California, and no doubt jet-lag is bothering the two of them. Not to worry though, as each will be a force at the bigger targets for the season.

Thor Hushovd of Credit Agricole put in a strong effort at Het Volk, with a third place. The next day, he rode respectable in KBK, but was unable to keep pace with the high speed set by Quick Step, who overpowered him and the rest of the peloton.

High Road was laid low at Het Volk, as Bernhard Eisel finished more than 18 minutes down and the team's highest finisher was Roger Hammond in 45th place at over six minutes down. KBK wasn't much better for the team, as there were no High Road riders in the decisive break. They'll lick their wounds and hope for better results in the remaining spring races.

Rabobank's Juan Antonia Flecha, a rare Spanish Classics specialist, came in with Boonen toward the back of the bunch at Het Volk, which will no doubt disappoint the Spaniard. At KBK he went a bit better, making the final selection but falling short against the Quick Step onslaught. He'll take valuable training miles out of the first weekend of the Classics season, with an eye in Flanders in a few weeks.

Silence-Lotto's Robbie McEwin and Liefe Hoste both started Het Volk, but McEwin dropped out only 20 k into the race, complaining of sickness. He didn't race KBK the next day, as he continues to recover from the bug. Hoste meanwhile, made an excellent 7th place result at Het Volk, which bodes well ahead of Flanders. He's been close many times at Flanders, but he's never taken the win. After a strong Het Volk, he looks on track for the Ronde. He also rode strong at KBK, a race that isn't well suited to his style. All signs point to Hoste being a force in the monuments this year.

Hoste rode well for both Het Volk and KBK as he builds for Flanders

CSC's Fabian Cancellera showed himself at the front of the bunch in Het Volk, before falling short against a super-motivated Phillipe Gilbert. Stuey O'Grady was nowhere to be found the entire weekend. Mathew Goss flew the flag for CSC at KBK, but came up short in a valiant effort against a superior Quick Step team.

Goss had a good day at KBK for his CSC team