Greg Henderson seized the overall lead in the Tour of Britain after claiming Sunday’s second stage in Stoke-on Trent.

Team Sky controlled the day’s 18-strong break with Henderson, British national champion Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins all involved.

And the Kiwi rider out-sprinted breakaway companions Michael Albasini and Heinrich Haussler on an uphill finish to replace André Greipel as the overall leader.

“It’s a nice treat to be in the yellow jersey and we’ll have a go at defending it now,” said Henderson.

“I had a fantastic team with me, they rode the front for me right the way through to the line.

“I knew the finish from a couple of years ago, so I waited and waited for as long as possible.

“No-one had come with 300 metres to go so I just jumped as hard as I could knowing that I could open up a gap and I just held that to the line.”

A frantic start to the 160.5km stage saw a number of attacks fail but the peloton split while chasing a two-man escape to leave a high quality break out in front.  

With the likes of Henderson, Wiggins, Thomas, Albasini, Haussler, ENECO Tour winner Tony Martin and the 2010 Giro d’Italia’s best young rider Richie Porte in the break, a gap of 40 seconds was soon established.

Johnny Hoogerland bridged the gap with an impressive solo ride and the group extended their advantage to more than eight minutes after tackling the climbs of Ramshorn, Hollinsclough Moor and Gun Hill.

Haussler and Michal Golas made a dash for honours as the group neared Stoke but Thomas and Wiggins controlled the chase to set up their man Henderson.

And the 33-year-old obliged on the 500m drag to the finish to claim the honours and move into the yellow jersey after Greipel won the opening stage with a trademark sprint finish in Blackpool.

The German punctured with just eight kilometres to go on Saturday but his HTC-Columbia team paced him back to the peloton, with Greipel beating Italian Manuel Belletti and Henderson to the line.

Stage Two results

1) Greg Henderson – Sky Professional Cycling Team – 3:59:52

2) Michael Albasini – Team HTC – Columbia – @ same time

3) Heinrich Haussler – Cervelo Test Team – @ same time

Honda combativity award winner: Johnny Hoogerland, Vacansoleil Professional Cycling Team

General classification standings (after stage two)

1) Greg Henderson – Sky Professional Cycling Team – 7:16:23

2) Michael Albasini – Team HTC–Columbia – @ 14”

3) Heinrich Haussler – Cervelo Test Team – @ same time

The Prostate Cancer Charity points jersey standings (after stage two)

1) Greg Henderson – Sky Professional Cycling Team – 28 points

2) Andre Greipel – Team HTC–Columbia – 15 points

3) Michael Albasini – Team HTC–Columbia – 15 points

King of the Mountains standings (after stage two)

1) Richie Porte – Team Saxo Bank – 35 points

2) Johnny Hoogerland – Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team – 24 points

3) Wout Poels – Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team – 16 points

Sprint standings (after stage two)

1) Richie Porte – Team Saxo Bank – 15 points

2) Michal Golas – Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team – 8 points

3) Koen De Kort – Skil–Shimano – 8 points