Gert’s glory in mayhem

So narrow, in fact, that a bunch of 30 riders were involved in a mass pile-up as they jostled for position about a mile before the final sprint towards the line.

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All fall down: a mass pile-up in Ghent, leaving race leader Cancellara (far left) with a wrist injury

The tangled heap of men and machines spread across the entire width of the road and included race leader Fabian Cancellara, who crossed the line holding his left wrist.

After treatment, the Swiss appeared to be fine to wear the yellow jersey in today's third stage between Waregem and the French town of Compiegne, famous for being the site of a railway carriage in which the First World War armistice was signed.

The day's other crashes included one in which a motorcycle, carrying a television cameraman, ended up in a roadside ditch after a closer brush with the verge than intended. Only pride was hurt.

Meanwhile, the same emotion spurred Steegmans and Boonen to the front of the sprint and ahead of the carnage.

Belgium, known for bike racers — Eddy Merckx was a five-times winner of Le Tour — and beer, managed to combine the two on a day when the 168km stage, which started in Dunkirk, passed through the country's prime hop-growing region.

The only surprise for Belgian supporters was that it was Steegmans and not Boonen who crossed the finish line first.

Leading out the sprint, 27-year-old Steegmans fully expected his team leader to power past on the final incline.

He said: "I could just see one wheel behind me. I was hoping it would be Tom. I expected him to pass me. It's unbelievable that he didn't.

"I can't believe how many people there were along the route today. There were so many of them on the side of the road that it was dangerous at times."

Consolation for Boonen came in the form of the green jersey, awarded to the best sprinter, which he took from Sunday's Stage One winner Robbie McEwen.

Britain's David Millar retained his King of the Mountains polka-dot jersey. Not surprisingly, there were no hills to be found in the west of Belgium.

Meanwhile, London Mayor Ken Livingstone is already planning to bring Le Tour back to Britain following acclaim from riders, spectators and organisers at the weekend.

Livingstone said: "I think realistically it would be five or six years from now. The organisers have said they are very pleased. We should not be surprised that it has gone so well.

"Many countries now want to stage a sporting event in Britain because we are gaining a reputation for being the best in the world."

It is estimated that Kent benefited to the tune of £40million from increased business during Sunday's Stage from Greenwich to Canterbury, with two million people — 500,000 more than actually live in the county — lining the 127-mile route.