Going into the Eneco Tour, Orica-GreenEDGE said that they had no GC ambitions but after two days of racing they have changed their plans. As Jens Keukeleire is showing good form, they now hope that their classics specialists can mix it up with the best in the overall standings.

Aidis Kruopis and Jens Keukeleire have moved into the top ten on general classification at the Eneco Tour, finishing in a select front group on stage two today.

It was another stressful day on the road as the peloton tackled heavy rain and a technical run in to the finish.

Finishing behind stage winner Zdenek Štybar (OPQ), Kruopis and Keukeleire were amongst the front group for the second consecutive stage crossing the line in 12th and 13th respectively.

“It shows they are going pretty well and that Jens has recovered well after the Tour,” sport director Matt Wilson said.

“We haven’t had any climbs yet but it shows the form is there and hopefully Jens in particular can build off Friday’s stage in Geraardsbergen and put himself in a good GC position.”

In a repeat of yesterday’s opening, a three-man breakaway shaped much of the stage two racing.  Despite a last solo attempt from the breakaway by Pavel Brutt (KAT), all was back together with five kilometres left to ride.

Roundabouts and tight corners made for a technical finish, a crash also contributing to splits in the peloton.  Unlike yesterday, with crashes to Matt Goss and Damien Howson, ORICA-GreenEDGE avoided any trouble on today’s stage.

“No one crashed which was great and the guys that fell yesterday were pretty sore today so they just survived,” sport director Matt Wilson said.

“It was just a very stressful day with a lot of rain and for a WorldTour race was a little crazy with lots of lefts and rights.”

Tomorrow’s stage three is one for the time trialists with a 9.6km race against the clock. 

“We have Michael Hepburn and Jen Mouris who can also hopefully have a good ride.  Damien (Howson) was really motivated as well but now it’ll be more of a survival thing for him (after yesterday’s fall).