Lampre's Angelo Furlan won the 228km stage two of the Dauphine Libere between Nancy and Dijon. Marcus Zberg (BMC) finished second in the sprint, followed by Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) in third. There was no change on general classification meaning Cadel Evans will hold on to his leader's jersey.
This sprint marked the return to the podium for Boonen after the recent controversy surrounding his positive test for cocaine in an out of competition doping control. His Quick-Step team worked to control today's race for their leader, bringing back the break of the day that contained Stephane Augé (Cofidis), Inaki Isasi (Euskaltel) and Alexandre Pichot (Bbox Bouygues Telecom).
With around 10km to race the breakaway was caught setting up the scenario for a bunch sprint. Garmin-Slipstream's David Millar had other ideas in mind attacking at the 5km to go mark and using his time trialing skills to hold off the pack on the run in to the finish.
In the final kilometers Millar's lead seemed to be holding while the Brit continued to push on for the stage. But in the end, the motivation to win from behind proved to be too much, with Boonen opening up the sprint early to make sure Millar was caught. With 50 meters left they did catch the Garmin rider, but it cost Boonen the stage as he faded into third place for his efforts.
Tomorrow's stage will take the race 182km from Tournus to Saint-Etienne. The course will run over undulating roads on the countryside around Saint-Etienne, and contains four category four climbs. It will be a good day for opportunists with the last climb within striking distance of the finish.
Stage 2 results
1. Angelo FURLAN (LAM) in 5:35:04
2. Markus ZBERG (BMC)
3. Tom BOONEN (QST)
4. Marco BANDIERA (LAM)
5. Marcel SIEBERG (THR)
6. Nicolas ROCHE (ALM)
7. Gert STEEGMANS (KAT)
8. Arnaud COYOT (GCE)
9. David MILLAR (GRM)
10. Christian KNEES (MRM)
Stage 2 general classification
1. Cadel EVANS (SIL) in 5'50"40
2. Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO (AST) at 08
3. Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE (GCE) at 23
4. Sébastien ROSSELER (QST) at 33
5. Vicenzo NIBALI (LIQ) at 34
6. Frantisek RABON (THR) at 34
7. Christian KNEES (MRM) at 34
8. Benoit VAUGRENARD (FDJ) at 36
9. José Ivan GUTIERREZ PALACIOS (GCE) at 36
10. David MILLAR (GRM) at 37