Brit Mark Cavendish has won Monday's first stage of the 2007 Tour of Britain from Reading to Southampton.
After 87 miles of flat rolling roads, punctuated by just two category-three climbs, Cavendish (T-Mobile) followed up his win in the race's 2.5km prologue at Crystal Palace yesterday, becoming the first Brit since the event was resurrected in 2004 to wear the leader's yellow jersey.
The 22-year-old posted a time of three hours, seven minutes and 46 seconds and said: "It was fantastic to win - it meant a great deal to be wearing the yellow jersey."
"The crowds were superb and gave me a real incentive - I'm so proud to win here in front of the British fans who cheered and encouraged me all the way.
"I have come close to a Tour of Britain stage win many times, but it's great that it all finally clicked for me today.
"I want to be realistic, I know I'm not going for the yellow jersey overall. I just want to challenge in a couple of stages and keep it for as long as possible."
Line honours 1: Cavendish,Mark (T- Mobile) 2: Caethoven,Steven (Chocolade Jacques-Topsport) 3: Haedo,Juan Jose (CSC)
Overall 1: Cavendish,Mark (T- Mobile) 2: Trusov,Nikolai (Tinkoff Credit Systems) 3: Rooijakkers,Piet (Skil-Shimano)
Points 1: Cavendish,Mark (T- Mobile) 2: Caethoven,Steven (Chocolade Jacques-Topsport) 3: Haedo,Juan Jose (CSC)
E.ON Mountains Competition 1: Rabon,Frantisek (T- Mobile) 2: Caldeira,Samuel (Duja Tavira) 3: Cavendish,Mark (T- Mobile)
Sprints Competition 1: Rooijakkers,Piet (Skil-Shimano) 2: Cavendish,Mark (T- Mobile) 3: Artetxte,Mikel (Fuerteventura-Canarias)
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