Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) (Image credit: Luc Claessen)
By Gabriella Ekström
Tom Boonen exacted revenge for yesterday's missed sprint when he took advantage of a school book leadout performed by his teammates and won the second stage of the Tour of Belgium to Knokke-Heist. This was Boonen's third win in Knokke in as many attempts.
"Yeah, it's three out of three. Nice," Boonen said after the stage. "I came to the front early in the sprint, and there was also a lot of headwind. But it was slightly uphill and a power sprint is perfect for me and I did the job well. My family is here, so if I didn't win, I would have got a beating," he added jokingly.
Skil-Shimano's Maarten Tjallingii remains the race leader, and will start this morning's time trial in the black leader's jersey. There he will have to chase a strong-looking Boonen who said of the time trial; "I'll go full gas, and whatever happens, happens. I hope that I can surprise myself, but I feel that I am a bit in the dark."
