Look back at photos from an intriguing edition of E3 as the Classics season intensified in Flanders.

The race was peppered with crashes (all images: TDWSport)

Christian Knees was held up by an early pileup

Lukasz Wisniowski was right at home on the Belgian roads

The race was soon stretched

Tom Boonen lit it up on the Taaienberg

Philippe Gilbert applied the pressure, with Gianni Moscon struggling to hold on

Soon a trio formed out front, and the gap spun out

Many riders, Peter Sagan included, had no answer

At the finish Gilbert, Greg van Avermaet and Olivier Naesen went toe to toe

Van Avermaet prevailed to take another big win