Video: Talking points at 3 Days of De Panne as Philippe Gilbert zig-zags through cars - and past a marshal - at head of break

Philippe Gilbert won today’s opening stage of the 3 Days of De Panne in style, taking victory by 17 seconds from Luke Durbridge on a day full of talking points – not least an incident around 38 kilometres from the finish where the Belgian slalomed in and out of cars stopped to let the race go as he led the breakaway, with Sporza posting footage of the incident online.

It seems Gilbert was trying to take advantage of cross-winds to distance his rivals, but with a race marshal narrowly avoided being hit by the riders as they swerved in and out of the cars to follow him, some might wonder whether it was worth the risk – all the more so as he dumped them on the next climb to ride away to victory.

The scene was more like something out of an amateur race rather than an event which bridges the gap between Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders and will be unlikely to have endeared Quick Step Floors' former world champion to fellow members of the escape group.

In a sport where memories are long, and assistance often needed by riders from rival reams, it’s one that could come back to bite him.

The marshal wasn’t the only person who had to employ some fancy footwork at the race today. Earlier, ahead of the climb of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, also known as the Kapelmuur, Katusha-Alpecin’s Marco Haller jumped up on the pavement to avoid the cobbles and almost collided with a spectator.

Another spectator managed to get some facetime on TV today – a young fan managing to briefly ride alongside Gilbert as he soloed his way into the race lead.

Côtoyer l'idole, se mettre à son niveau, tutoyer les étoiles... et se faire enrhumer méchamment ! pic.twitter.com/tTjPa4NwY5

— Dans la musette (@DansLaMusette) March 28, 2017

Here’s the moment Gilbert, in the Belgian national champion’s kit, got clear on the Kapelmuur on his way to winning the race.

Decisive moment at the Muur van Geraardsbergen #3dpk #Kapelmuur
@Eurosport_IT pic.twitter.com/Rg259WTB8Q

— Peter SagFan (@Peter_SagFan) March 28, 2017