DUTCH rider Olav Kooij celebrated a second successive stage victory on day two of the Tour of Britain today.

The Team Visma cyclist launched off the wheel of Britain’s Sam Watson on the outside of the final corner to complete the 174.06km route in three hours, 44 minutes and 14 seconds.

Belgian Tom Crabbe of Team Flanders-Baloise snatched second spot after pipping Ineos Grenadiers rider Watson at the line in a bunch sprint finish.

Today’s race on a looping course around Stowmarket in Suffolk was made harder by increasingly wet weather.

Having won stage one between Woodbridge and Southwold on Monday, Kooij increased his lead at the top of the general classification, with Crabbe climbing to second and Watson third.

“The race suits me quite well, I guess,” the 23-year-old was quoted as saying by Cycling Weekly. “It’s another stage win after some hard work from the team, really happy with that.”

Stage three takes place tomorrow between Milton Keynes and the Bedfordshire town of Ampthill.