Belkin Pro Cycling Team rider Theo Bos sprinted to third in the Eurometropole Tour stage two. The 171-kilometre stage to Newport was won by Arnaud Démare of team FDJ. The stage started furiously, the riders covering 50 kilometers in the first hour.

"It was very hard in the beginning of the race,” said Sports Director Erik Dekker after the finish. “There was a large group ahead, but the team of Arnaud Démare closed the gap. Four kilometers from the Kemmel, it all came together. However, it remained restless. When FDJ kept riding in front it was obvious that a bunch sprint would follow."

Along the way, bonus seconds were up for grabs, which should help decide the Eurometropole Tour overall.

"Normally, I do not participate in intermediate sprints, but I did today and it worked out well," said Theo Bos in Middelkerke. "I like that game for seconds and it suits me. I grabbed the necessary seconds. In the last five kilometers, we rode in the lead. It was very hectic and there were a lot of crashes. Fortunately, we were not involved. The sprint train functioned very well today."

Bos won four seconds in the intermediate sprints and by finishing third, he gained four more seconds for the GC. The gain of eight seconds means the sprinter Team Belkin will move up in the overall standings.

"Every second counts. I was surprised that Theo went along sprinting in the intermediate sprints, but every second counts here," Erik Dekker continued. "Theo won a sprint and was again third and finished third in the stage so he takes eight seconds and moves up into third at the overall standings. The bonus seconds will play an important role also in tomorrow's stage."

The Eurometropole Tour continues tomorrow with a 174- kilometre stage from Blankenberge to Middelkerke.