the Flemish Renaissance Chateau of Ooidonk, (pictured) an equally neat square chateau of warm red brick with round corner towers in a square round cornered moat. Brooding ahead was a ominous storm cloud from which the occasional flash of lightening could be seen and sure enough the rain came down. After a heavy downpour, the rain seemed to stop quite quickly for the 
run into Ghent (pictured above) and the helicopter gave us some great aerial shots of attractive buildings, St Bavo’s Cathedral and another moated castle, which was not named in the television coverage. (19 July – More information about this castle, which I have been told is called Gravensteen, can be found in the comments for this post.)
A three man breakaway (Sieberg, Herve and Perez) lasted for about 125km until just inside the final 3km when they were overtaken by the Peloton. Shortly afterwards there was a huge crash on the damp greasy road leaving a relatively small number of riders to race for the finish, whilst those caught behind the pile up could only turn round to watch the action on a nearby large screen. First and second places went to the Belgians, Gert Steegmans and team-mate Tom Boonen (Quickstep). Boonen had been tipped to win but was just pipped to the post, possibly due to an error of judgement by Steegmans, as the riders were well aware of the constant threat of quick finisher Robbie McEwan who was not far behind. In the end Boonen, who did not seem too upset at his lead out man’s success, was rewarded as he took the green points jersey from McEwan. Briton David Millar (Saunier Duval) retains the polka dot jersey. There was one retirement after Stage 1, Eduardo Gonzalo Ramirez (Agritubel) who crashed through the rear window of one of the race cars. It remains to be seen if there will be more retirements and how many riders will be nursing injuries following the big crash just before the finish, but hopefully the start numbers will not be too depleted for Stage 3 starting in Belgium and finishing back in France.
