Stage two was marred by another huge crash where Andy and Fränk Schleck hit the asphalt.

With the amount of six categorized climbs in the Ardennes, today's second stage of the Tour de France over 201 kilometers between Brussels and Spa was very similar to the Ardennes spring classics. Because of the demanding course, attacks from hopeful GC-riders were expected.

Saxo Bank controlled the pace of the peloton with veteran, Stuart O'Grady as the vigilant captain in the forefront while Sylvain Chavanel and Jerome Pineau (QuickStep), Matthew Lloyd and Jürgen Roelandts (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Marcus Burghardt (BMC), Sebasitien Turgot (BBox), Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) and Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre) formed today's breakaway vacuuming the course for points for the mountain competition.

Unfortunately, the rain made the descents very dangerous and with thirty kilometers to go, there was a big crash including both Schleck brothers who were hurt the most of all favorites.

In the front, Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) escaped from his companions and soloed towards the finish line while the main pack was divided into three groups with the Schlecks in the back. But after an astonishing performance by Jens Voigt, Nicki Sørensen, Andy Schleck and Fränk Schleck, all groups fused with 15 kilometers to go.

It was a remarkable stage where fair play from the favorites played an important role for the outcome. Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) took the stage win and the leader's jersey. Luckily, Andy is despite bruises and sore muscles good and ready to take on tomorrow's menu: cobblestones!

Andy finished in 82th place and is standing in the overall clasification in place 85 with 4:06 minutes to the new leader Sylvain Chavanel.

Andy said on his twitter: "Outch crash 2 times in 200 meters had no more bike thanks to everybody for the gr8 support today we really saw some fair play! Me and @schleckfrank looks like we okay. Left lots of skin on the road..my arm hurts but nothing lucky broken. We keep our head high!promise!"