Tour de Wallonie Stage 2: Boonen Wins the Bunch Sprint

Tour de Wallonie Stage 2: Boonen Wins the Bunch Sprint

174.4km Tour de Wallonie Stage 2 came down to a sprint finale, after a lone rider from an original breakaway was caught inside the final 20km. Despite several attacks, the peloton — led by Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team — made sure the stage came down to a bunch sprint. Tom Boonen emerged victorious, beating Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) and Michael Van Staeyen (Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise) to the line.

Boonen's victory is the 44th (42nd road) for OPQS in three disciplines. OPQS looks next to a 168.5km Stage 3 on Monday after their win on Sunday.

"I am happy about this victory," Boonen said. "The team did a great job today, we always stayed together, especially in the last stretch of the race. In the final 3km there was a descent and we took it in front. Then, Nikolas Maes was with me to pull for the sprint. He did a perfect job and we won the race, so I am happy. I feel good, my health is much better than when I had some problems last time. I felt good even yesterday, even if I wasn't 100 percent — but that was probably because of a long trip back from altitude camp. Today I felt really good, so that also makes me happy. This race is important to prepare for the Classics in August. I will do this race, some training, and then will be ready for the races in August."