Gert Joeaar became a surprise winner of the prologue of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen when he beat favourites like Johan Le Bon and Kristof Vandewalle into the minor podium spots. The Estonian, however, is the only one not to be surprised as he had carefully prepared for the race that is his big season target.

Prior to the opening prologue of the Three Days of West-Flanders, all talk was about many of the great time trial specialists in attendance. Belgian champion and defending champion Kristof Vandewalle, his Trek teammates Jesse Sergent and Stijn Devolder, NetApp-Endura's Jan Barta and almost the entire Omega Pharma-Quick Step team were tipped as potential winners.

Nobody had mentioned the name of Gert Joeaar but when the dust had settled after the short, fast race on the flat out-and-back 7km course along the coast in Middelkerke, it was the Cofidis rider who had come away with the win. The Estonian had covered the distance in an impressive 7.53 to put 5 seconds into Le Bon, with Vandewalle following in 3rd three seconds further adrift.

While most observers were surprised by the results, Joeaar was not. The Estonian has carefully prepared for the race that is his big season target.

"I am very well prepared for this race," he told Directvelo. "It was clearly my goal of the season. I'm not surprised with my result. It's nice to beat the Belgian specialists. Don't ask me anything about the final kilometre. It is a big black hole. I am completely empty but it has paid off.

"I rode 150 km in Le Samyn to refine my condition. I intend to defend the jersey for the next two days. I will give everything. I really hope to win the Three Days of West Flanders. We have a strong team here but it will not be easy. I expect a lot of fight from the other teams."

Joearr led an excellent cofidis showing, with neo-pros Florian Senechal and Christophe Laporte as well as Romain Lemarchand also finishing in the top 20. Laporte enjoyed a long spell in the hot seat and was pleased with his 14th place.

"I'm happy with my performance," he said. "In the first part of the race, there was a headwind. On the way back to Middelkeke I could use a high gear. I still prefer when there are more turns. If I compare my time of 8'13" to Kristof Vandewalle's from last year, 8'09" [the winning time], I'm doing very well. In addition, for my first year pro, this is very encouraging for the future. "