Arnaud Demare has won the second stage of the Eneco Tour. The Frensman of FDJ was in a sprint faster than world champion Philippe Gilbert. Styby and his teammates at OPQS helped Alessandro Petacchi to a fifth place. Styby became 14th himself.
“After the start four strong guys rode away. It was very difficult to catch them back, also because most of the time we had wind in our back so it was a very fast 178 kilometers. The final was tricky with small climbs, narrow roads and so many sharp turns.”
“On one of the climbs Niki Terpstra tried to attack, but nobody was able to get an advantage. We tried to work for my roommate Petacchi, but I didn’t get in the front of the peloton at all. I knew, just like everybody else, that there was a sharp turn with 1,3 kilometer to go and I didn’t manage to be in front.”
Petacchi finished in fifth place. Styby was 14th. “But today I didn’t have a good feeling. Yesterday it was better. I hope I still improve the next days and my shape will be good for the weekend.”