Tom Van Asbroeck finished eighth in Thursday’s second stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour. Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) won in Knokke-Heist after a 178-kilometer stage that started in Lochristi.

“I was dropped off well by my team-mates,” Van Asbroeck analysed the final kilometres. “They kept me out of the wind and helped me to start the sprint in a good position. I sat in Jean-Pierre Drucker’s wheel (BMC). When he went, I didn’t hesitate, and followed him, but I think my gear was a little too heavy. I barely got my pedals around when the road went up.”

Van Asbroeck has mixed feelings about his eighth place. “Normally, a finish like this favours me, but I still lack some power. I’m not happy about the result, but I’m glad to sprint again after all my crashes during the spring. I see an upward trend in my performances and my confidence is gradually coming back.”

Attack

Nico Verhoeven wanted to attack with his team on Thursday. “Our intention was to force something, but the wind was not as it should be. That was of no help for the teams who wanted to make it a hard race.”

Classic stage

Fridays’ third stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour starts where the second ended. The peloton needs to complete 201 kilometres, from Knokke-Heist through to the Flemish Ardennes to Herzele, where the stage will finish on a local lap. The circuit includes the Valkenberg, Leberg and Berendries. The riders also need to tackle two cobbled sectors: the Paddenstraat and the Lippenhovestraat. 

Van Asbroeck is looking forward to it. “I like the course. I know the roads very well, because I often train in the area.”

Verhoeven expects a tough race. “It’s going to be an elimination race, like in a classic. Especially when the wind starts to blow as predicted.”