Mark Cavendish wins the stage 2 of the Tour de France 2012
Mark Cavendish of Team Sky Procycling wins the second stage of the Tour de France after his spectacular performance during the 207.5 kilometre event.
He was challenged by the in-form German sprinter Andre Greipel but the Manxman managed to get through his defences.
Cavendish bagged his 21st Tour stage victory in a photo finish and Greipel had to settle for the second position.
The reigning UCI World Champion crossed the finish line in a quickest time of 4 hours, 56 minutes and 59 seconds and used the weather conditions to his advantage.
"I knew that there was some headwind, and it was clear to me that I could also have a chance if I started from a bit further back".
"I was alone in the last kilometre. I told Edvald [Boasson Hagen] with five kilometres to go just do your own thing”.
“We haven’t worked enough together when it's so hectic like that”.
“If it had just been the sprinters then it would have been okay but there were climbers and GC riders at the finish. I’d rather just go alone”.
Matthew Harley Goss of Team Orica GreenEdge, Tom Veelers of Team Argos-Shimano and Alessandro Petacchi of Team Lampre-ISD occupied the third, the fourth and the fifth positions respectively.
Stage 1 general classifications leader, Fabian Cancellara achieved the 45th position and maintained his position.
Bradley Wiggins finished at the 68th position and holds the second overall spot after the stage 2 classifications.
Peter Sagan, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Davide Malacarne, Steven Kruijswijk and Tejay Van Garderen were the top five cyclists on the day.
Sagan currently holds the top overall position after the point’s classifications with a total number of 78 UCI points.
Cavendish is holding the second position with 63 points while Fabian Cancellara, Matthew Harley Goss and Edvald Boasson Hagen holding the third, the fourth and the fifth positions respectively.
Top ten cyclists after the stage 2 classifications is as under,
1
Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan
10:02:31
2
Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
0:00:07
3
Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4
Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team
0:00:10
5
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling
0:00:11
6
Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team
0:00:13
7
Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
8
Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
0:00:17
9
Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
0:00:18
10
Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
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