The Three Days of De Panne second stage started in Zottegem and finished in Koksijde after 217,2 km that were characterized by the passages on five hills, the Mesenberg, the Monteberg, the Kemmelberg, the Rodeberg and the Vidaigneberg.
Behind the 12-rider breakaway that led the race since the early kilometers, the main bunch split in two parts after the passage of the hills, and Cimolai, Modolo and Richeze gave LAMPRE-MERIDA presence in the first group. The peloton was back together with 60 km to go and the breakaway was caught on the final laps.
In view of the final sprint, LAMPRE-MERIDA's lead-out train prepared the sprint in a good way, giving Sacha Modolo a considerable support. Ferrari conquered the front positions in the bunch with2.5km to go and it was Richeze's task to defend the places with his grind; Cimolai made the lead-out in the final 500 meters before Modolo took off followed by Kristoff. The Norwegian is probably the strongest sprinter in the race, so he could pass Modolo to take the victory. The Italian finished fifth.
"We're very satisfied with what the team did in trying to be in the front of the bunch, avoiding the negative effect of the wind and supporting Modolo in the sprint," sport director Mario Scirea explained. "Sacha battled fiercely in the sprint, he has such a great desire to be protagonist, but today Kristoff was once again the fastest rider. However, Sacha is going better and better and he'll soon will have the opportunity to be a protagonist."
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