After a huge crash marred the conclusion to stage one, only three riders – Marco Haller (Katusha-Alpecin), Russ Downing (JLT-Condor) and Magnus Cort Nielsen (Orica-Scott) – were unable to start stage two in Tadcaster.

British trio Harry Tanfield (Bike Channel-Canyon), James Gullen (JLT-Condor) and Connor Swift (Madison-Genesis) were joined by Raleigh-GAC’s Sebastian Mora to form the day’s four-man break.

They were never likely to threaten the sprint teams on a day built for the fast men, however – though Tanfield did enough to claim the combativity prize.

The Australian pipped Hivert to claim second, claiming enough bonus seconds to replace stage one winner Dylan Groenewegen – who finished fourth – as race leader.

Chris Lawless (Great Britain) was the first Brit home, in fifth, while Matthew Holmes (Madison-Genesis) and British champion Adam Blythe (Aqua Blue Sport) also claimed top-ten sports.

Ewan will wear the leader’s jersey going into stage three, but the undulating stage will ultimately decide the overall winner of the third Tour de Yorkshire.

Tour de Yorkshire 2017: stage two – result

1) Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) – Cofidis – 2.45.51hrs
2) Caleb Ewan (AUS) – Orica-Scott – ST
3) Jonathan Hivert (FRA) – Direct Energie
4) Dylan Groenewegen (NED) – LottoNL-Jumbo
5) Chris Lawless (GBR) – Great Britain
6) Kristian Sbaragli (ITA) – Dimension Data
7) Soren Kragh Andersen (DEN) – Team Sunweb
8) Tony Hurel (FRA) – Direct Energie
9) Matthew Holmes (GBR) – Madison-Genesis
10) Adam Blythe (GBR) – Aqua Blue Sport

General classification

1) Caleb Ewan (AUS) – Orica-Scott – 6.55.17hrs
2) Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) – Cofidis +2”
3) Dylan Groenewegen (NED) – LottoNL-Jumbo – ST
4) Chris Opie (GBR) – Bike Channel-Canyon +8”
5) Jonathan Hivert (FRA) – Direct Energie – ST
6) Angel Madrazo (ESP) – Delko Marseille Provence KTM +10”
7) Kristian Sbaragli (ITA) – Dimension Data +12”
8) Steele von Hoff (AUS) – ONE Pro Cycling – ST
9) Adam Blythe (GBR) – Aqua Blue Sport
10) Soren Kragh Andersen (DEN) – Team Sunweb