Intro:

Germany's Andre Greipel retains his title at the Brussels Cycling Classic on Saturday (5th September).

Script:

The Brussels Cycling Classic got underway on Saturday morning, with a field of 148 riders set to tackle a 202km route which would take the peloton out into the Belgian countryside before finishing back in the capital.

Last year's winner, Germany's Andre Greipel was looking for a second title, but there was plenty of opposition from the big teams on the world circuit.

A series of breakaways came and went without any managing to get away from the main bunch - and as the kilometres ticked by a sprint finish to the famous Atomium in Brussells became increasingly likely.

So it turned out, but as the peloton passed the one-kilometre mark, none of the teams appeared set to lead out their main man to the line.

The FDJ.fr team were best placed, with Arnaud Demare ready to pounce, but Greipel got some help from team-mate Kris Boeckmans and the pair hit the front.

Boeckmans peeled away and Greipel headed for the line.

Andy Fenn of Omega Pharma - Quickstep tried to come up on Greipel's left, but was quickly shut out.

French champion Elia Viviani then attacked, but could not cope with the German's acceleration and Greipel took the win to retain his title.

Viviani took second place with fellow Frenchman Arnaud Demare completing the podium.

It was the 32-year-old's seventh career win in a one-day race.