Tour of Britain 2024: Stephen Williams sprints to stage two win and overall lead

Wales’ Stephen Williams outsprinted Julian Alaphilippe to win stage two of the Tour of Britain in Redcar and claim the overall lead.

Israel–Premier Tech rider Williams held off France’s two-time world road race champion Alaphilippe and Britain’s Oscar Onley as a three-man breakaway contested the finish to the 152.1km stage from Darlington.

Britain’s Joseph Blackmore finished fourth, at the front of a chasing group also containing Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, 21 seconds down on Williams.

Williams, 28, now leads the general classification by six seconds over Onley, with Alaphilippe in third, a further 10 seconds back.

“It’s really good to get my hands in the air,” said Williams. “It was a really tough day out.

“The aim now is to try and hold onto the jersey – it’s not the easiest job in the world. We have a strong team so hopefully everything goes right on the road.”

Stage one winner and overnight leader Paul Magnier finished ninth, one minute 27 seconds down on Williams, and is now ninth overall.

Thursday’s stage three is a 166.1km hilly route from Sheffield to Barnsley.