Teamwork was a key ingredient in today’s win with every team rider playing a part in positioning Cancellara for the finale before Cancellara soloed away to a commanding win.

“This was an amazing team job,” said Cancellara afterwards. “Everyone was against us and we just stayed focused. We came on the Oude Kwaremont for the last time and Gregy Rast said everyone looked tired, so I tried to do the first selection there. Peter (Sagan) and I came up to Roelandts then and I knew I had to go again to get away from Peter. It happened like we’ve been planning for months. Hard work from me and the team and sacrificing time with our families[are the foundations for this victory]. I can count on two hands the number of days I’ve been home this winter. It hasn’t been easy for my wife and kids but these are the hard choices we make. My career won’t last forever so it’s important to pick moments to enjoy. This victory is for my family and team. They gave me so much support. And for the fans – it was a perfect day. My second win in Flanders has been exceptional. I will relax now and recover from this effort and see what happens next week,” he concluded, referring to Paris-Roubaix next Sunday.”

Cancellara attacked on the Oude Kwaremont to soften up the competition, with Peter Sagan hot on his wheel. Not wanting to take the sprinter to the line, Cancellara patiently waited for the Paterberg to put the final nail in the coffin, attacking from a seated position on the climb and immediately creating a gap. From then on it was time trial mode for the four-time world TT champion. Sagan (Cannondale) and Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol) rounded out the podium at well over a minute behind the Swiss champion.

Cancellara won the 2010 Tour of Flanders and wanted to repeat the effort after last year’s race-ending crash in the feed zone took him out of the classics.