BMC kept their options open in today's very hectic second stage of the Eneco Tour when both Manuel Quinziato and Philippe Gilbert made the split in the chaotic finale. The Italian is pleased with his rare chance to ride as a leader in a major race.

Manuel Quinziato scored his best result in a road race this season by sprinting to fifth place for the BMC Racing Team Tuesday at the Eneco Tour of Benelux. Quinziato was part of a select group that remained at the front when strong winds and rain split the peloton near the end of the 175.8-kilometer race.

"The end was really, really tricky with small roads and a lot of corners with rain and wind," he said. "Philippe Gilbert and I were in good position and Silvan Dillier did a good job trying to bring back the breakaway.

"Then I tried to anticipate the sprint with two kilometers to go. That made a gap with Lars Boom (Belkin Pro Cycling Team), Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Marco Marcato (Cannondale Pro Cycling) and then Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin) came back. In the sprint, they were faster than me, but I am happy because the shape is good. I also have to thank Marcus Burghardt because he took care of me, along with the rest of the team."

Stybar took the win in front of Boom and Vanmarcke while Gilbert was 17th and climbed from seventh to fifth overall. Stybar took the overall lead from Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team).

Quinziato's result was his first top 10 of the season in a road stage. All three of his previous top 10 finishes this year have come in individual or team time trials, with a best of third in the Stage 7 time trial last month at the Tour of Austria.

Quinziato said he is looking forward to Wednesday's 15 km race against the clock.

"It seems like this year I have remembered how to time trial," he said. "Tomorrow is a short one. I will go all in and see what happens."

Quinziato said the Eneco Tour is a race he likes. His two previous top 10 finishes here include fifth in a time trial in 2007 and fourth in the final stage last year.

"The team gave me the chance to make it a goal," he said. "I'm not the captain here, but for sure I will have a chance to try to get a good result."