Arnaud Démare did not raise his arms in Knokke-Heist at the end of the second stage of the Tour of Belgium. He missed the win by half a bike length but ashe was beaten by a super Tom Boonen, he was quite satisfied with his race, his sensations, his sprint and the work of his teammates.

Two weeks ago, the French champion left the Tour de Picardie a little frustrated, not happy with himself and anxious to not having raced with his usual feeling when launching his sprints.

Obviously, it would have been better to win yesterday but he had every reason to smile after crossing the finish line. Now, he knows he is on track.

"Arnaud was really beaten by a better rider," sports director Thierry Bricaud said. "Boonen benefits from the physical condition he built in the first part of the Giro and took advantage of his great experience but we still have to be happy. This morning we had made a game plan that was fully respected by the team. In the finishing straight, Arnaud was dropped off and started his sprint from an ideal position when he felt that riders came from the right. It was a bit too early with the headwind and the final climb. Tom Boonen was on his wheel and only had to jump but there is nothing to regret."

Demare is full of confidence for today's stage. The hellingen and cobbles on the course so nothing to displease him.