Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) sprinted to win the second stage of the 2016 Tour of Croatia on Wednesday.
Cavendish got the better of sprint rival Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) in a reverse of the result from the previous day's stage, where the Italian won and took the early race lead.
Cavendish's team-mate and key lead-out man Mark Renshaw carried his speed through to place third behind Nizzolo at the end of the hilly stage in Split.
>>> Giacomo Nizzolo beats Mark Cavendish to win Tour of Croatia stage one
Cavendish now takes the overall lead from Nizzolo going into Thursday's stage three. The Manxman concentrated on his track racing over the winter, which netted him a world title in the Madison alongside Bradley Wiggins. He is aiming to ride in the omnium during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
>>> Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish win sensational Madison gold medal
On the road, Cavendish took a stage and the overall victory in the Tour of Qatar in February.
The second edition of the Tour of Croatia concludes on Sunday, April 24. The decisive stages are likely to be Friday’s mountain-top finish on stage four, and Saturday’s 40.3-kilometre team time trial.
Tour of Croatia 2016 stage two result
NP Plitvicka jezera to Split, 240km
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data
2. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
3. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Dimension Data
4. Michael Kolar (Svk) Tinkoff
5. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana
6. Roman Maikin (Rus) Gazprom-Rusvelo
7. Nicola Ruffoni (Ita) Bardiani-CSF
8. Ivan Savitskiy (Rus) Gazprom-Rusvelo
9. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Verandas Willems
10. Karol Domagalski (Pol) One Pro Cycling all same time
Watch: Top 5 men's WorldTour kits
General classification after stage two
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data
2. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek-Segafredo at same time
3. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Dimension Data at 10 secs
4. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Verandas Willems at 12 secs
5. Nicola Ruffoni (Ita) Bardiani CSF at 13 secs
6. Alexey Kurbatov (Rus) Gazprom-Rusvelo at 15 secs
7. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana at 16 secs
8. Ioannis Tamouridis (Gre) Synergy Baku at 16 secs
9. Pawel Franczak (Pol) Verva Activejet at 16 secs
10. Matteo Pelucchi (Ita) IAM Cycling at 16 secs
-
-
How Clay Davies became an accidental figurehead
When Clay Davies become the first openly gay rider in the UK's elite ranks, he suddenly found himself in unfamiliar territory
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Bahrain Victorious respond after researchers reveal riders at ‘three-week race in France’ had muscle relaxant in their systems
While the research paper doesn’t name the team, riders or race, Bahrain were raided by police at the Tour de France
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mark Cavendish wins reduced sprint at Sparkassen Münsterland Giro 2021
The Manxman adds another win to his 2021 tally
By Jonny Long •
-
'I owe my career to you': Mark Cavendish pays tribute to former British Cycling coach Heiko Salzwedel
The sprinter has shared his thoughts after his former coach passed away
By Jonny Long •
-
Mark Cavendish reaches agreement on wages, final sticking point is role with Deceuninck - Quick-Step after retirement
The sprinter will meet with Lefevere when both are present at the UCI Road World Championships this week in Flanders
By Jonny Long •
-
Mark Cavendish spotted cycling in central London
Cavendish will race in the World Championships on Sunday 26 September, but needed to get some miles in his legs in London
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Mark Cavendish explains mid-race frustration to viewers during Tour of Britain breakaway
The 'Manx Missile' became frustrated with the motorbikes helping two riders the break had deliberately dropped
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mark Cavendish unsure if he will remain at Deceuninck - Quick-Step but vows 'I will get even better'
The 36-year-old is racing this week's Tour of Britain
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
'Mark Cavendish should not overestimate his market value in the euphoria of the Tour,' says Patrick Lefevere
The two parties have not got closer to agreeing a new deal since having dinner together after the conclusion of the Tour de France
By Jonny Long •
-
Star-studded field set to ride the Deutschland Tour 2021
The German race has attracted a large amount of big-name riders who aren't riding the Vuelta a España
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
