ProTeam 5th and 7th place for Lotto Cycling Team in stage 2 of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque

"It was a particularly nervous race today," said Matys Grisel (19). "The plan was to sprint with Cedric. But coming out of the final corner, I found myself in a very strong position and suddenly realized I was in fourth place, so I just launched the sprint. I ended up fourth, Cedric seventh. Naturally, we’re a bit disappointed—we would’ve preferred to win. But the legs were good, and we showed that today. The team is in good shape, so hopefully we can continue to show that in the coming days."

Today’s second stage covered 178 kilometers between Avesnes-sur-Helpe and Crépy-en-Valois. Tomorrow, the peloton heads into another flat stage, starting in Valenciennes. In the general classification, Cedric Beullens currently sits in 11th place. Jenno Berckmoes, who sprinted to ninth place yesterday, is in 13th.

Picture: Brecht Steenhouwer