News

Britain''s Mark Cavendish has won the second stage of the Tour de France. Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finished safely in the trailing pack behind a sprint.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland retained the overall lead.

Armstrong, pre-race favorite Alberto Contador and other possible title contenders were expected to ride safely and try to avoid crashes in the 187-kilometer(116.2-mile) course from the principality of Monaco to Brignoles, France.

Sunday''s stage featured four minor climbs through the sun-baked hills of Provence along the Mediterranean coast. The route favored sprinters and breakaway specialists.

Cancellara won Saturday''s opening time trial to take the yellow jersey. The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.

Results Sunday from the second stage of the Tour de France, a 116.2-mile stage from Monaco to Brignoles:

1. Mark Cavendish, Britain, Team Columbia-High Road, 4 hours, 30 minutes, 2 seconds.
2. Tyler Farrar, United States, Garmin-Slipstream, same time.
3. Romain Feillu, France, Agritubel, same time.
4. Thor Hushovd, Norway, Cervelo Test Team, same time.
5. Yukiya Arashiro, Japan, BBOX Bouygues Telecom, same time.
6. Gerald Ciolek, Germany, Team Milram, same time.
7. William Bonnet, France, BBOX Bouygues Telecom, same time.
8. Nicolas Roche, Ireland, AG2R-La Mondiale, same time.
9. Koen de Kort, Netherlands, Skil-Shimano, same time.
10. Lloyd Mondory, France, AG2R-La Mondiale, same time.
11. Nicolai Trussov, Russia, Team Katusha, same time.
12. Angelo Furlan, Italy, Lampre-NGC, same time.
13. Said Haddou, France, BBOX Bouygues Telecom, same time.
14. Mark Renshaw, Australia, Team Columbia-High Road, same time.
15. Heinrich Haussler, Germany, Cervelo Test Team, same time.
16. Tony Martin, Germany, Team Columbia-High Road, same time.
17. Alexandre Pichot, France, BBOX Bouygues Telecom, same time.
18. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain, Caisse d''Epargne, same time.
19. George Hincapie, United States, Team Columbia-High Road, same time.
20. Kenny Robert van Hummel, Netherlands, Skil-Shimano, same time.