Robert-Jan Derksen followed his sublime opening 63 with a level par 71 to maintain the clubhouse lead at the Alstom Open de France.
The Dutchman, who led by three overnight, parred the first nine holes and then birdied the next two to stretch his advantage.
But he then bogeyed the 13th and 17th on the way in to remain eight under - two in front of Indian Jyoti Randhawa.
“I played very good the front nine more or less, on the first 12, 13 holes,” said Derksen. “Then made two mistakes, hit one in the water on 13, and that was a drop, and had to take an unplayable on the 14th.
“The last five or six holes the driver wasn't very good, so I could not attack the pin. I was not in good positions but overall not too bad - it could have been better but it's a difficult course and you know you're going to make mistakes.”
That allowed in-form Spaniard Alejandro Canizares to join Derksen out in front as he raced out of the blocks with three birdies in his first seven holes.
"I played great yesterday and I did well today too, to hang in there and make two under," said Randhawa. "I'm really happy the way it went."
As for 44 year old Jean Van de Velde, who was one of the stories of the first day with a 66 in only his second event of the year, he double-bogeyed the opening hole and so fell five behind.
Lee Westwood kept alive his hopes for a 69 for three under, but was limping badly at the end of his round 69.
Westwood came back well from bogeying the 17th for the second day running and then hitting his tee shot into the water on the short second, but the leg injury which made him doubtful before the start - he even went to hospital to check whether he had a blood clot - was taking its toll.
"It just gets sore as the day goes on," said the World Number Three.
"I just need to ice it I guess. It doesn't hurt when I swing - except just a little bit on the way through - but does not feel very nice up short, sharp hills and there are a lot of them."
