Cavendish wins 2nd stage of Giro d'Italia

World champion Mark Cavendish of Britain won the second stage of the Giro d'Italia in a sprint finish Sunday. Taylor Phinney of the U.S. finished fourth but kept the overall lead despite a broken bike chain.

Cavendish was led out by Welsh teammate Geraint Thomas in the 128-mile loop starting and ending in Herning. It was his eighth stage victory in the Giro.

The Team Sky cyclist edged Matt Goss of Australia and finished in 4 hours, 53 minutes, 12 seconds. Geoffrey Soupe of France was third.

Phinney, who won Saturday's opening individual time trial, retained the pink jersey. He made up lost time after a chain broke with less than five miles to go. Phinney lost 30 seconds but pedaled frantically to catch up with the main pack less than two miles from the finish.

Alfredo Balloni, Oliver Kaisen and Miguel Angel Rubiano made an early break, about 10 miles into the stage. The trio was caught with about 25 miles to go.

On Monday, Giro resumes with another flat stage in Denmark before moving to Italy on Wednesday following a rest day.