Tour of Britain 2018 Stage 2: Cameron Meyer brings early break home, Alessandro Tonelli new leader

The Tour of Britain's 2nd stage runs to a flat finish in Barnstaple, yet it turns out to be a day for the breakaway. Cameron Meyer takes the win, while Alessandro Tonelli moves into the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2018 Tour of Britain

1. Cameron Meyer (aus)
2. Alessandro Tonelli (ita) + 0.01
3. Patrick Bevin (nzl) + 0.02
4. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.
5. Jasha Sütterlin (ger) s.t.
6. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
7. Wout Poels (nld) s.t.
8. Chris Hamilton (aus) s.t.
9. Bob Jungels (lux) s.t.
10. Hugh Carty (gbr) + 0.09

GC after the 2nd stage
1. Alessandro Tonelli (ita)
2. Cameron Meyer (aus) s.t.
3. Patrick Bevin (nzl) + 0.08
4. Wout Poels (nld) + 0.12
5. Jasha Sütterlin (ger) s.t.
6. Chris Hamilton (aus) s.t.
7. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.
8. Bob Jungels (lux) s.t.
9. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
10. Hugh Carty (gbr) + 0.19

Race report
Scott Davies opens up a gap on Chineway Hill and is the first rider over the crest. Tom Baylis joins him, but they are brought back. At km 16 Davies gives it another go with Erick Rowsell, Alessandro Tonelli, Matthew Teggart and Cameron Meyer. The five put more than 6 minutes into the peloton.

Davies is first to crest the second KOM categorised climb, Bratton Fleming, with the peloton 3.27 minutes in arrears. Teggart is no longer aboard.

Hugh Carthy and Matthew Holmes go after the leader with 32 kms remaining when the gap has fallen below 3 minutes.

Rowsell is dropped on Challacombe Hill, a 1.3 kilometres climb at 12.5%, and Carthy leaves Holmes behind. Davies is the first rider over the summit, which makes him the KOM leader. He pushes on alone. In the peloton, leader André Greipel is dropped on the steep ramps, while Julian Alaphilippe jumps clear to bridge across to Carthy.

Meyer and Tonelli rejoin the lone leader before dropping him with 5 kms to go. Meanwhile, Alaphilippe and Carthy are tracked down by Wout Poels, Patrick Bevin, Primoz Roglic, Jasha Sütterlin, Chris Hamilton and Bob Jungels. They pass the flamme rouge with a 10 seconds deficit.

The two leaders hold off the chasers before Meyer sprints to a clear victory, 1 second ahead of Tonelli. Thanks to time bonuses underway and at the finish, they have the same overall time, but the the Italian moves into the overall lead due to better placings on yesterday’s stage.

Bevin edges out Alaphilippe to win the sprint for third place and moves up to the third place overall, 8 seconds behind the leader(s).

The 3rd stage runs to a punchy finale in Bristol.