Hushovd wins Tour de France Stage 2

SAINT-BRIEUC, France, July 6 (UPI) -- Norwegian cyclist Thor Hushovd sprinted to the finish line Sunday winning Stage 2 of the 2008 Tour de France.

Hushovd completed the 164.5-kilometer stretch from Auray to Saint-Brieuc in 3 hours, 45 minutes and 13 seconds.

Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg was second, while Germany's Gerald Ciolek was next. Robert Hunter of South Africa and Germany's Erik Zabel completed the top five.

The top 75 riders all finished Stage 2 with the same time.

Alejandro Valverde, the Spaniard who won Stage 1 Saturday, remains the overall leader. He finished 12th in the main pack Sunday.

Kirchen is second overall, leading 11 riders just one second off the lead pace. Hushovd is 12th overall, seven seconds behind Valverde.