Stage two is the longest at nearly 230 K, from Zottegem to Sint-Idesbald, a quick breenge around the bergs then a charge back to the coast and two finishing laps.
Viktor wanted to see his hero, Guy Smet at a kermesse near Bruges, so my race watching was courtesy of the plasma screen in a cafe.
There were 193 starters for the kermes racing under a beautiful blue sky. The De Panne stage wasn’t amazing as the bunch let go, then slowly pulled-back a two man break.
At times like this you realise how difficult it must be to commentate live on this type of race situation, it’s hard enough trying to produce copy.
It all came-together at the death and Benati skooshed the stage, he’s quick, and will be a threat to Petacchi in the Giro.
