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.