Gallery: In the pits at the Tour of Flanders

Scenes from the start of the 100th edition of De Ronde van Vlaanderen

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Dan Cavallari
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The lead-up to the 2016 Tour of Flanders was a quiet one in the center of Brugge, Belgium, but that calm did not last long. The streets plugged with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the riders on the way to the start line. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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There is perhaps no stage or race start that’s more picturesque than the one Brugge provides. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Peter Sagan fans were out in force, each one as colorful as the Tinkoff star himself. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Belgians aren’t much for flag-waving, but Flandrian pride was clearly on display. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Astana’s team bus was the first to arrive as the morning quickly warmed. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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BMC’s team cars followed the bus into the pit area to prep bikes and get riders checked in. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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The world champion’s steed awaits. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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A Team Sky mechanic makes last-minute adjustments to Michal Kwiatkowski’s bike. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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A UCI official uses an iPad to check each bike for motors. There were several officials on hand to scan each and every bike in the pit area, even spares. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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An official waves an iPad past the frame of a Trek Madone. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Tom Skujins gave his bike one last quick glance to make sure it was ready to go before hopping on and heading to check-in. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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A BMC rider shakes hands with a fan. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Wanty-Groupe Gobert riders honor their fallen teammate, Antoine Demoitié, with stickers on each bike’s head tube. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Wanty riders also wore black t-shirts with Demoitié’s photo as they rode to check-in. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatkowski leaves the pits to head toward the start of the 2016 Tour of Flanders. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Quintana the younger: Dayer Quintana, Nairo’s younger brother, poses for a photo outside Movistar’s team bus before the start of the 2016 Tour of Flanders. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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By the time Giant-Alpecin riders left for check-in, the crowds in the pits had thinned. But as Peter Sagan and Fabian Cancellara wove through the pit area, fans clogged every inch and riders struggled to get through. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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Fans watch as team cars and riders head toward the starting line, right in the center of Brugge. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
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The last few riders hit the light, friendly cobbles of Brugge’s winding streets, a small reminder of the rougher stuff to come. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

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