Gerald Ciolek wins second stage as Fabian Cancellara retains lead of Tour of Spain

Gerald Ciolek, the German rider, has won the 204-kilometre second stage of the Tour of Spain in Emmen, Holland.

Ciolek, Milram's sprint specialist, claimed his first Grand Tour stage win in the north east of Holland on the second day of racing following Saturday's 4.8km time-trial in Assen, won by Fabian Cancellara, the Swiss Olympic and world time-trial champion.

The 22 year-old former team-mate of Mark Cavendish beat Fabio Sabatini in a sprint finish, while Britain's Roger Hammond, riding for the Cervélo team, finished a creditable third ahead of Andre Greipel, Tyler Farrar and Tom Boonen, the former world road race champion.

The German, speaking after his triumph, said: "My form is good. I felt great at the start with a good feeling of what was to come.

"There were lots of people lining the race. But it was a nervy stage that didn't really allow us to appreciate the incredible crowd."

Cancellara retained the overall lead and will wear the leader's golden jersey for a second day on Monday's 189km third stage from Zutphen to Venlo.

Tour of Spain details

Stage two; Assen-Emmen, Holland, 204km: 1 Gerald Ciolek (Ger - Milram), 2 Fabio Sabatini (Ita - Liquigas) at same time, 3 Roger Hammond (GB - Cervelo) s.t., 4 Andre Greipel (Ger - Columbia-HTC) s.t., 5 Tyler Farrar (US - Garmin-Slipstream) s.t.

Overall

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi - Saxo Bank), 2 Gerald Ciolek, 3 Tom Boonen (Bel - Quick Step).