Mark Cavendish of Team Columbia has won the second stage of the 2009 Tour de France, between Monaco and Brignoles, claiming the green jersey in the process.
An assured display from Isle of Man-born Cavendish and his Columbia team put him in the perfect position for the win, and he left the entire field in his wake into the sprint finish in Brignoles.
Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Slipstream was second, but never presented a serious challenge to Cavendish, such was the British rider's explosive speed and the quality of the lead-out work by the team.
Roman Feillu of Agritubel was third and Thor Hushovd of the Cervelo Test Team was fourth.
A crash on the final bend finished several rider's hopes, but the result never looked in doubt and Cavendish reinforced his status as the fastest sprinter in cycling.
A four-rider breakaway consisting of Stef Clement (Rabobank), Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale), Jussi Veikkanen (Francaise des Jeux) and Stephane Auge (Cofidis) led for much of the stage before being reined in by the peloton.
Fabian Cancellara, who started the day in the yellow jersey, will stay in the lead of the race after finishing in the main bunch.
"It's brilliant," Cavendish told ITV Sport's Ned Boulting. "I'm in good form ... We showed we meant business today and it's great to get the win."
