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.