March 8, 2004 – The Prologue of the Three Days of West Flanders was held late Friday on a rain-drenched 7.6K technical course in the village of Bellegem, near Kortrijk. Robert Barko (Rabobank) took the win in 9:21 over Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Team CSC) and Servais Knaven (Quick.Step-Davitamon). The top-100 riders were separated by just over one minute, and incredibly, 34 riders missed the 12% time cut.  The time cut was later adjusted to 15%, which re-instated all but 17 riders. Unfortuantely for the Navigators squad, it eliminated the on-form sprinter Ciaran Power.

After yesterday's torrentially drenched TT, today's relatively clear skies, and 8-degee Celsius (46F) temperatures were a welcome sight for the peloton leaving Handzame. A 162.4K triangular shaped opening circuit, north to the coast and back, was followed by three 10K kemessse style finishing circuits.

Stage one was the day for the sprinters, as the biggest challenge today would be the wind and speed, not topography. After several breakaway attempts, including a short-lived foray by Navigators' Mark Walters, three riders finally escaped. Segei Krushevskiy (Oktos), Stephane Berges (AG2R), and Landbouwkrediet-Colnago's sprint ace Yuri Metlushenko set out at the 30K mark. Race leader Robert Bartko's Rabobank team assumed responsibility at the front of the peloton, allowing the escapees to gain three minutes, but no more.  The Rabobank team paced the main group, and slowly closed the gap to the leaders over the next 130K. By the time the group reached the finishing circuits, the break was caught, and Rabobank, AG2R and CSC began setting up for their sprinters.

At the finish, last year's winner Jaan Kirsipuu proved he still has the speed finishing in front of Fabrizio Guidi (CSC), and Aurelian Clerc (Quickstep).  Navigators' Kirk O'Bee finished 21st in the bunch sprint.