Nick Nuyens of Belgium has won the Tour of Flanders over the weekend, marking the ‘biggest victory' of his cycling career, reports the Agence France Presse.

The Belgian cyclist, who was representing Saxo Bank at the tournament has beaten 'Quick Step' Sylvain Chavanel who emerged in the second place in the race and defending Champion Fabian Cancellara who sprinted third in the one-day classic 256-km race.

According to the Agence France Presse, Cancellara was the clear favourite in the tournament after winning another, yet smaller classic race earlier last week. He was also the biggest contender during Sunday’s classic tournament after dominating Flanders and Paris-Roubaix last year.

Even Nuyens who was competing in his seventh Tour of Flanders admitted his surprise at the event’s turn out in an interview after the race.

"This victory is unexpected as I wasn't at my best today, but I raced intelligently," Nuyens was quoted as saying by the Agence France Presse.

He added, "I felt very relaxed during the final sprint. It was only in the final 50 metres that I started to fully realise what was happening, that I was about to win this beautiful race."

The Belgian cyclist, according to the Agence France Presse Nuyens has only been seen as a ‘support sprinter’ for former two-time winner Tom Boonen at Quick Step. But his strength last Sunday has proven that he is now another man to beat in major events.

Nuyens has won a number of titles to his credit including Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (2006), Omloop Het Volk (2005), and Paris-Brussels (2004). He has also bagged the GP de Wallonie three times (2004, 2005 and 2008).

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