TOURNAI, Belgium (AP) — Mark Cavendish led a tight sprint to the finish Monday to win the second stage of the Tour de France, while Fabian Cancellara retained the overall leader's yellow jersey after the mostly flat ride across Belgium. The top overall standings didn't change as defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia and fellow title contender Bradley Wiggins of Britain trailed close behind in the pack after the 129-mile ride from Vise to Tournai. Cavendish collected his 21st Tour stage victory and proved he remains the rider to beat in Tour sprints. He also won three stages in the Giro d'Italia and two in the Tour of Oman this year. The 27-year-old from the Isle of Man has been left largely to fend for himself this year because his Sky team is focusing on helping Wiggins become Britain's first Tour winner.
Cavendish wins 2nd stage, Cancellara leads at Tour
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Mark Cavendish of Britain crosses the finish line to win the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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Stage winner Mark Cavendish of Britain celebrates on the podium of the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
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Mark Cavendish of Britain, right with yellow helmet, crosses the finish line ahead of Andre Greipel of Germany, left, and Matthew Harley Gross of Australia, right, to win the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
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Bradley Wiggings of Britain, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, drinks as he rides in the pack during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
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Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides in the pack during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
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Mark Cavendish of Britain, right with yellow helmet, crosses the finish line ahead of Andre Greipel of Germany, left, to win the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
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