Arnaud Demare’s strong season continued with victory on stage two of the Eneco Tour, with the Frenchman assuming the overall race lead in the process.

The 21-year-old FDJ rider, who has already claimed victories at the Four Days of Dunkirk, Grand Prix de Denain, Tour de Suisse and RideLondon-Surrey Classic in 2013, outsprinted Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) in Vorst.

Second place for Gilbert marked another frustrating day for the world road race champion, who is yet to win in the rainbow jersey.

Mark Renshaw, meanwhile, punctured with two kilometres to go to miss out on the opportunity to contest a second stage win, and the Australian lost the leader’s jersey in the process.

Demare now leads Renshaw by three seconds in the overall standings ahead of stage three. Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins, who is continuing his preparations for the Tour of Britain and World Time Trial Championships, lies 147th overall.