Wales' Stephen Williams surged into the lead of the Tour of Britain after beating Julian Alaphilippe to win the 152km second stage in Redcar on Wednesday.
The Israel-Premier Tech rider produced an impressive sprint to move past the former two-time world champion Alaphilippe and hold off Oscar Onley, who finished third.
Israel–Premier Tech's Stephen Williams wins Stage 2 of the Tour of Britain 🇬🇧
— Eurosport (@eurosport) September 4, 2024
The Welsh rider pipped Julian Alaphilippe and Oscar Onley in a sprint finish to the line 💪#TourofBritain #Roadcycling pic.twitter.com/NfYUTgyuOf
"Just over the moon to get the hands in the air in the UK," Williams told reporters.
"The aim now is to try and hold onto the jersey. It's not the easiest job in the world, it takes a lot of things to go right and a strong team. We've got a strong team so hopefully now everything goes right on the road."
Williams leads the overall standings by six seconds from Onley, with Alaphilippe a further 10 seconds back in third.
The third of six stages runs 166km from Sheffield to Barnsley on Thursday.
Stage two
1. Stephen Williams (GBR/IPT) 3hr 37min 25sec, 2. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/SOQ) at same time, 3. Oscar Onley (GBR/DFP) s.t., 4. Joe Blackmore (GBR/IPT) at 21, 5. Remco Evenepoel (BEL/SOQ) s.t.
Overall standings
1. Stephen Williams (GBR/IPT) 7hr 49min 00sec, 2. Oscar Onley (GBR/DFP) at 6, 3. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/SOQ) at 16, 4. Mark Donovan (GBR/Q36) at 31, 5. Joe Blackmore (GBR/IPT) s.t.