Tuesday 12 May 2015 17:05, UK
Mark Cavendish out-sprinted Peter Sagan for the second day running to claim another stage victory in the Tour of California.
Cavendish had to work harder than his easy victory in Sacramento on Sunday but the Etixx - Quick-Step rider was able to do enough to hold off his Tinkoff-Saxo rival at the end of the 193km ride into Nevada City.
The Manxman extended his overall race lead to eight seconds over Sagan while breakaway rider Robin Carpenter (Hincapie Racing) moved into third thanks to his three time bonuses on the stage.
Young sprinter Wouter Wippert finished third for the Australian Drapac squad and UnitedHealthcare's John Murphy took fourth for the second consecutive day.
A nasty crash marred the end of the stage, taking out a few potential competitors for Cavendish, and American rider Ben Jacques-Maynes saw his race ended by a dislocated shoulder.
"He came underneath me in the last corner, and it was perfect," said Cavendish. "With the pressure he's under he would hit out early, so I was happy to come off his wheel.
"He actually did a good job of boxing me in so I had to really start the sprint late."
Stage three on Tuesday starts and finishes in San Jose, and the slightly tougher uphill finish could play more into Sagan's hands.
Stage Two result:
1 Mark Cavendish (Gbr) Etixx - Quick-Step 4hrs 47mins 02 secs
2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo all st
3 Wouter Wippert (Ned) Drapac Professional Cycling
4 John Murphy (USA) UnitedHealthcare
5 Danny van Poppel (Ned) Trek Factory Racing
Overall standings:
1 Mark Cavendish (Gbr) Etixx - Quick-Step 9hrs 30mins 09secs
2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo +8secs
3 Robin Carpenter (USA) Hincapie Racing Team +11
4 William Clarke (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling st
5 Markel Irizar (Esp) Trek Factory Racing +14
