Saturday marked the opening of the Belgian season with the 62nd running of the Omloop Het Volk. It started in Gent's Sint Pietersplein under grey skies and rain, but the weather cleared up quickly and the finish was dry. Procycling.com's Jeff Jones had his camera ready at the start.


The scene from the start in Gent


Tom Boonen on stage


Last year's winner, Philippe Gilbert


2005 winner Nick Nuyens


Leif Hoste on stage


Stijn Devolder raring to go


Future Tom Boonens


It's wet, but we're here anyway


Milram's bikes


Here comes the rain again