GHENT BELGIUM(AFP) - Belgian Gert Steegmans stunned a depleted bunch, and himself, to claim the second stage of the Tour de France ahead of Quick Step teammate Tom Boonen here on Tuesday.

Steegmans, known as the sprint lead-out man for his superstar compatriot, beat Boonen and around 25 other riders to the finish after a mass pile-up had caused havoc within the final two kilometers of the rain-plagued 168.5km stage.

The 189 contenders paraded through central London on Sunday before heading off for the first road stage. It's the first time the world's biggest cycling race has started from the city in its 104-year-history.