The second part of the World Ports Classic was held over 164 kilometers from Antwerp to Rotterdam today. After the first intermediate sprint, in which the favorites secured bonus seconds for the overall standings, a group of six riders was able to break away from the field.

The peloton controlled the attackers at any time to decide the stage again in a mass sprint. However, this was prevented by a big crash in the finale. Sprinting from a small group, Kris Boeckmans (Lotto Soudal) scored the stage and overall victory of the stage race. Sam Bennett was stopped by the crash and was the first chaser to the finish.

"The guys have worked very well together and supported Sam. Until the finale, the stage was completely controlled. Then it was hectic on the last 15 kilometers because of tunnels, roundabouts and narrow streets. We were just with our complete sprint train on the way forward, as this huge crash happened just before the three-kilometers mark,” Andre Schulze, Sports Director of Bora-Argon 18, said.

“A rider on the 10th or 15th position in the field came down and all our riders behind were stopped. We were also involved with all our riders. Luckily no one was hurt. But a full stop in the last 3,000 meters means that all chances of a result are over. The gap to the first group becomes simply too big and can’t be closed anymore. Clearly we are disappointed because we started with great ambitions - but bad luck like today unfortunately also belongs to cycling."