 During the descents of the Kemmelberg, several riders crashed on the wet cobblestones and were severely injured after a rider swerved to avoid a fallen water bottle.Amongst them were Jimmy Casper (broken nose, broken collarbone, broken wrist), Wim De Vocht (broken thumb), James Vanlandschoot (broken thumb, wrist and elbow), Andy Cappelle (broken elbow and fractured shoulder), Marco Velo (broke his knee, collarbone and 2 ribs), Wilfried Cretskens (several contusions), Aart Vierhouten, Tyler Farrar, Luke Roberts, Fabio Sacchi, Mathew Hayman, Matthew Wilson and Heinrich Haussler.This caused splits in the peloton and an elite group of riders were left to chase down the lead trio.