Tour de France sprint king Mark Cavendish won stage two of the Tour of Ireland on Saturday.
Columbia rider Cavendish, winner of six stages in this year’s Tour de France, coasted to victory in a sprint finish into Killarney for the 49th stage victory of his third full season as a professional.
In second place was Belgian Michael Van Staeyen of Rabobank’s development team with Australian Stuart O’Grady, of Saxo Bank, in third place.
Britain’s Russell Downing retained the overall race lead for the Candi TV team going into Sunday’s final stage from Bantry to Cork.
Seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong is in 20th place, 26 seconds off top spot.
Saturday’s triumph was Cavendish fourth stage victory of his career in the Tour of Ireland and his 21st of the season.
The Manxman paid tribute to his team and said: “It’s the first time I’ve gone really deep since July (in the Tour de France).
“It’s always good to win, and though it was a tough finish we managed to take control of things with two kilometres to go.
“It was a team win, one guy crosses the line with his arms in the air, but it’s a success for everybody.”
Stage:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia – HTC 5:07:33
2. Michael Van Staeyen (Bel) Rabobank Continental
3. Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank
4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Joker Bianchi
5. Steven Van Vooren (Bel) An Post Sean Kelly Team
Overall:
1. Russell Downing (GBr) Candi TV – Marshalls Pasta 10:18:00
2. Alexander Kolobnev (Rus) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:05
3. Matti Breschel (Den) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:07
4. Philip Deignan (Irl) Cervélo Test Team 0:00:10
5. Marco Pinotti (Ita) Team Columbia – HTC 0:00:11
6. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Astana
7. Frederik Wilman (Nor) Joker Bianchi
8. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:17
9. Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:22
10. Andrey Grivko (Ukr) ISD – Neri 0:00:23