After a few disappointing season, Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) proved that he may return to his best form when he got agonizingly close to a big classics win in today's Dwars door Vlaanderen. After winning the sprint for second, the American was pleased to see a dedicated focus on the cobbled classics pay off.

Three years ago Tyler Farrar won the bunch sprint in the Dwars door Vlaanderen but unfortunately Nicki Nuyens and Geraint Thomas just managed to stay away. Today it was a case of deja-vu for the American when he was again the fastest from the bunch in the Belgian semi-classic but again an escapee ran away with the win.

Despite his initial disappointment, Farrar was able to see the bright side of the result. After a few difficult seasons that almost culminated in Garmin-Sharp not extending his contract, today's performance indicates that he may return to his former level.

“It’s always something special to be on the podium in the classics and it’s really not a bad result but at the same time I’m a bit heartbroken,” he told reporters at the finish. “Three years ago we just caught them in the sprint and I was third. This time I was second, and again the winner was just in front of me. It’s hard but at the same time it’s a nice result for me.

“I really suffered last spring because I’m not really a rider for the extreme cold so last year was not so nice for me. This year is a little better. I’ve really been focused this winter and really put everything on the Flemish classics. I even skipped Milan-San Remo just to focus for this and I think it’s working.

“Certainly, the temptation was there but at the same time I knew today was one of the best of the races for me in the next three weeks. It wasn’t an easy decision and I didn’t really want to watch the race last Sunday but now I’m happy I did it like that.

“I was in the front group, I really had super legs today. On the descent of the Paterberg, we caught what was left of the breakaway. I was right there. At first I thought this was really perfect, a small group, but then everything came back with 50 or 60 riders.

“Three years ago when I was third here I was also third in Gent-Wevelgem, so hopefully I can do something good on Sunday. The weather is looking good for the weekend, and that suits a rider like me because a sprint is more likely in those conditions."