The Three Days of De Panne got off to a dry start despite threatening skies. Things remained calm until about 80 km in when the speed picked up and the crashes and flats started raining down on everyone. Unfortunately, Chris Sutton, Huub Duyn and Mike Friedman got tangled up in the day’s bad luck.

Martijn Maaskant, on the other hand, had an excellent day and was in on a 15-man breakaway attempt that included George Hincapie. Lotto, however, was having none of it and chased them down. The race finished up with several small breaks. The Argyle was well represented at the finish by Martijn, Tyler Farrar and Magnus Backstedt - who finished just within one minute of stage winner Gasparotto.

Slipstream stage 1 results
1. Enrico Gasparotto 4:58′11″

36. Martijn Maaskant +59″
42. Tyler Farrar +59″
45. Magnus Backstedt +59″
77. Will Frischkorn +6′09″
124. Steven Cozza +17′11″
160. Huub Duyn +18′55″
162. Michael Friedman +18′55″
164. Chris Sutton +18′55″

Slipstream GC after stage 1
1. Enrico Gasparotto 4:58′00″

36. Martijn Maaskant +01′10″
42. Tyler Farrar +01′10″
45. Magnus Backstedt +01′10″
77. Will Frischkorn +6′20″
125. Steven Cozza +17′22″
160. Huub Duyn +19′06″
162. Michael Friedman +19′06″
164. Chris Sutton +19′06″