The race was characterized by Tom Boonen who was training himself for the big (Flemish) monuments to come (RVV, E3, P-R, ...); according to many this was one of his best performances in a single-day race ever, even thought he did not win. When asked afterwards why he was showing off his magnificent shape he replied: "T'is Lente Schat" [spring has begun], two weeks later he won RVV in his rainbow jersey.
