The second stage of the Eneco Tour saw Magnus Cort finish as the top Orica Green-EDGE rider in 12th place as Jens Keukeleire finished in the bunch to ensure he is still in contention for the overall General Classification.

Day two proved a frustrating one for Orica Green-EDGE, however, as sprinter Leigh Howard, and Dutch rider Jens Mouris, took a tumble with 6km to go of the race, meaning a break up of the team’s train ahead of the sprint finish. With just Magnus Cort and Jens Keukeleire in the front group, they couldn’t find a way through as Andre Greipel (LTS) took the win from Jacopo Guarieri (KAT) and Tom Boonen (EQS).

The 180km stage, which started and finished in Breda in the Netherlands was a flat stage, suited to the sprinters. And after a breakaway group got caught, it was a matter of getting into position for the final sprint. Despite spending some time at the front of the pack, the Orica Green-EDGE team were hampered by the crash and couldn’t quite stay up front as the peloton entered the last few kilometres.

“Today it was not windy enough,” said Sport Director Laurenzo Lapage. “No wind made the race slow and then quite hectic towards the end. Everyone was fighting for position and there were very few good trains.

“The hectic finish produced some crashes, and that is what caused Leigh to crash. He is okay though, just a bit of road rash. Once Leigh and Mouris had come down we were unlikely to win the race, you just can’t do it on your own.

“We are pleased that Jens (Keukeleire) got across the line safely. When the race is a bit frantic like that, you can sometimes forget your ambitions for the overall (classification). It is important not to lose time, so it is good that Jens is safe.”

Tomorrow’s stage is yet another one for the sprinters as the tour starts in the Belgian town of Beveren and ends in Ardooie. The 172km stage will again be fast and flat, and a bunch sprint finish is expected again.