Dutch rider Sebastian Langeveld led a strong effort by the Rabobank team at Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, finishing fifth in a thrilling edition of the 256km Belgian spring classic.

In a back-and-forth battle on the cobblestone roads that crisscross the Flanders region of Belgium, Langeveld made all the right moves, putting himself in contention at the end of the grueling 6-hour race. Langeveld and his Rabobank teammates Lars Boom, Thomas Leezer and Dennis van Winden were all part of the action in the decisive final 90km, where the hardest climbs occur.

In the end, Langeveld, a 26-year-old Dutch rider having the best season of his career, sprinted to fifth place on his Giant TCR Advanced SL, 5 seconds behind the day’s winner, Nick Nuyens of Belgium.

Last month Langeveld won the Omloop Het Niewsblad, a Belgian semi-classic, and will carry his good form into next week’s Paris-Roubaix race in France.