Dutchman Kenny van Hummel (Skil) won the sprint on the second stage of the Tour of Belgium Thursday at Knokke-Heist on the Belgian coast, where he beat the Slovenian rider Borut Bozic, and the French rider Jimmy Casper.

Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma), winner of the stage on Wednesday, has kept the black jersey of the overall leader.

The stage was highlighted by the breakaway of three riders from Belgium, Gourgue, Habeaux and Eeckhout. The peloton, which was being driven by Team Omega Pharma, had the break firmly in control. The break was overtaken about twenty kilometers from the finish line.

“The team was then organized by Vacansoleil for their sprinter Borut Bozic. I left the wheel at the right time, even if the last mile, slightly uphill, have been difficult,” said Van Hummel, who won this year’s first stage of the Tour of Picardie.

On Friday, the third step connects Knokke Mechelen on a path conducive to sprinting again.

Stage Results
1. Kenny van Hummel (NED/Skil), les 172 km en 3 h 57:53.
(moyenne: 43,50 km/h)
2. Borut Bozic (SLO) m.t.
3. Jimmy Casper (FRA) m.t.
4. Denis Galimzyanov (RUS) m.t.
5. Samuel Dumoulin (FRA) m.t.
6. Enrique Mata (ESP) m.t.
7. Timothy Dupont (BEL) m.t.
8. Stefan van Dijk (NED) m.t.
9. Rafai Chtioui (TUN) m.t.
10. Sven Nys (BEL) m.t.

Overall Results
1. Philippe Gilbert (BEL/Omega Pharma) en 7 h 29:55.
2. Rony Martias (FRA) à 10.
3. Tomas Vaitkus (LIT) 10.
4. David Boucher (FRA) 14.
5. James Vanlandschoot (BEL) 14.
6. Kenny van Hummel (NED) 23.
7. Niko Eeckhout (BEL) 25.
8. Borut Bozic (SLO) 25.
9. Jimmy Casper (FRA) 29.
10. Stefan van Dijk (NED) 30.

Photo by:Corvos Pro