Slovak cyclist Peter Sagan (21) won the opening stage of the Tour of Sardinia. He squeezed ahead of 2008 World Champion Alessandro Ballan and his Liquigas-Cannondale team-mate, Daniel Oss.
In stage two yesterday he came fourth, putting him in second position overall behind Italian Damiano Cunego, who has a seven second lead on Sagan.
Sagan made his breakthrough last year, winning five times in his professional debut year.
Standings after stage two:
1. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre – ISD, 2. Peter Sagan (SR) Liquigas-Cannondale, 3. José Serpa (Col.) Androni Giocattoli, 4. Emanuele Sella (Ita.) Androni Giocattoli, 5. Eros Capecchi (Ita.) Liquigas-Cannondale, 6. Ben Hermans (Belg.) Team RadioShack, 7. Michele Scarponi (Ita.) Lampre – ISD, 8. Pavel Brutt (Rus.) Kaťuša, 9. Robert Kiserlovski (Chor.) Astana, 10. Mauro Santambrogi (Ita.) BMC Racing Team.