Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

This video shows the final six kilometers of today's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, in Belgium. As you can see, it was cold and wet. Two riders—Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha and Dutchman Sebastian Langeveld—rode to the line together, after more than five hours in the saddle. They worked together until the end, when it became every man for himself. Notice how Flecha rides on the sidewalk briefly. I think it was unintentional. Notice how they slow their pace in the final kilometer, trying to force the other to serve as a leadout. This was risky, because other riders were bearing down on them. You can see them looking back to see whether anyone was coming close.