American George Hincapie sprinted to victory in the second stage of the Dauphine Libere here on Tuesday but Thor Hushovd retained the overall lead.
In a lively last kilometre, Hincapie was the sharpest to react, out-pacing sluggish Frenchman Sebastien Chavanel (Francaise des Jeux) and German duo Sebastian Lang and Heinrich Haussler (Gerolsteiner).
Hincapie said his win was down to the hard work of his High Road team. “The team worked hard during the last 15 kilometres, like yesterday. We are a team that can win with many riders and in many ways.
“We have some of the best sprinters in the world. A sprinter like (Mark) Cavendish is perhaps the fastest in the closing stages,” added Lance Armstrong’s former teammate.
“Cavendish will perhaps bring the team a victory at the Tour (de France). I would also love to win a stage at the Tour.” The greatest cycling event in the world takes place from July 5 to 27.
Norwegian Hushovd, of the Credit Agricole team, was next to cross the line alone in the hilly 184-kilometre Rhone Valley stage.
A pack comprising Frenchman Stephane Auge, Spanish pair David de la Fuente and Benat Albizuri made an early breakaway shortly after the start at Bourg-Saint-Andeol.
The group opened up a four-minute lead before being caught with 11km to go by the peloton headed by Hushovd.
But the experienced New Yorker Hincapie, who will celebrate his 35th birthday at the end of the month, was the quickest in the sprint finish.
Wednesday’s 31km time trial will take place in Saint-Paul-en-Jarez in the Loire region.