Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) sprinted into the Tour of Beijing leader’s jersey on the uphill climax to a shortened stage two.

The Belgian burst clear of Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (Giant-Shimano) and fellow former world champion Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) after smog had seen the stage reduced by more than 30 kilometres.

With the finish line moved to the 111 kilometres mark, the GC contenders lit up the race with splits forming – defending champion Benat Intxausti (Movistar) among the riders to see his overall ambitions destroyed.

And from a strong leading group, Gilbert sprinted to his fifth stage win of the season to bag the red jersey.

Earlier, a four-man break had formed, with Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Laurent Mangel (FDJ.fr) powering the move.

Julian Alaphilippe (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Fabio Silvestre (Trek Factory Racing) joined them, but with the shortened stage the peloton was not willing to give them any meaningful gap.

Gougeard and Mangel pressed on but their pace proved too much for the latter two as Katusha, BMC Racing and Giant-Shimano all lent firepower to the chase.

Mangel and Gougeard still led as they passed the ten kilometres to go mark, but Team Sky took charge on the front as they were finally caught with five kilometres remaining.

Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff-Saxo), whose frequent attacks lit up the Tour of Britain, was one rider to try and earn a gap but Team Sky kept the front well marshalled as riders began to spill out the back.

Intxausti was among the biggest losers, while Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) lost more than two minutes on the bunch.

Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano), in the red jersey, was one of the riders caught behind a split as the final climb ramped up towards the finishing line, meanwhile.

Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEDGE) upped the pace, trimming the front group further, but with Gilbert present it quickly became apparent who would be favourite for the stage.

Janse van Rensburg kicked first, but Gilbert quickly found his wheel and burst around him to earn victory and the red jersey.

Costa followed the duo over the line, with Giro di Lombardia winner Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp), David Lopez (Team Sky), Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Samuel Sanchez (BMC Racing) among the other GC contender in the front group.

Tour of Beijing 2014: stage two – report

1) Philippe Gilbert (BEL) – BMC Racing – 2.29.02hrs
2) Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (RSA) – Team Giant-Shimano – ST
3) Rui Costa (POR) – Lampre-Merida
4) Sergei Chernetckii (RUS) – Team Katusha
5) Daniel Martin (IRL) – Garmin-Sharp
6) Pieter Serry (BEL) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep
7) Jesus Herrada (ESP) – Movistar
8) Esteban Chaves (COL) – Orica-GreenEDGE
9) Daryl Impey (RSA) – Orica-GreenEDGE
10) Mikae Cherel (FRA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale

General classification

1) Philippe Gilbert (BEL) – BMC Racing – 6.51.49hrs
2) Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (RSA) – Team Giant-Shimano +5”
3) Rui Costa (POR) – Lampre-Merida +7”
4) Jesus Herrada (ESP) – Movistar +11”
5) Pieter Serry (BEL) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep – ST
6) Mikael Cherel (FRA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale
7) Sergei Chernetckii (RUS) – Katusha
8) Rigoberto Uran (COL) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep
9) Warren Barguil (FRA) – Giant-Shimano
10) Julian Arredondo (COL) – Trek Factory Racing