The cycling world is firmly focused on the Vuelta a Espana and the upcoming mountain stages but these days also offer cycling races of a completely different kind. While the sprinters have been left frustrated by the Vuelta organizers, they have nothing to complain about when it comes to the route for the World Ports Classic. The 2-stage race which takes place between the big ports in Antwerpen and Rotterdam, is completely flat and very windy and has attracted a host of sprinters who are ready to battle for honours in what is expected to be a festival of speed and crosswinds. Starting at 13.45 CEST you can follow the final stage on CyclingQuotes.com/live.

Last year the race was introduced by Tour de France organizers ASO and is now held for the second time. Compared to the first edition, the route has been "turned around" and the first stage takes the riders from Antwerpen in Belgium to Rotterdam in the Netherlands while the second stage brings the peloton back to the starting city. The 165km first stage traverses the mainland while the feared second stage is 191km long and takes the riders down the coast through the very windy Zeeland province.

Last year Tom Boonen won the inaugural edition as part of his fabulous 2012 season after having won the first stage which was characterized by strong wind. Andre Greipel was 2nd in the sprint, and when he was beaten by Theo Bos the next day in what was a more traditional bunch sprint, he missed the overall win by one single second.

Boonen has put an end to a horrible season but Greipel is back this year. He will line up alongside a host of sprinters who are led by Marcel Kittel and also contain riders like Alessandro Petacchi, Mark Renshaw, Gerald Ciolek, Kenny Van Hummel, Bryan Coquard, Alexander Porsev, Michael Van Staeyen, Tom Van Asbroeck, Raymond Kreder, Blaz Jarc, Ralf Matzka, Jonathan McEvoy, Michael Schwarzmann, Scott Thwaites, Danilo Napolitano, Erwann Corbell, Benjamin Le Montagner, Jonathan Cantwell, Marko Kump and Fabian Schnaidt.

Starting at 13.45 you can follow the final stage here. As soon as the stage is finished (which is expected to be around 15.30 CEST), we will bring you all the action from the 8th stage of the Vuelta a Espana.