Sprint finish sees Ciolek lead the chasing pack in Tour

MTN Qhubeka’s Ciolek and Belgian rider Bennett (An Post-Chain Reaction) moved past Thomas Lovkvist of IAM Cycling, who was leading heading up the challenging Beast Bank with 500 metres to go, before the German forced his way past Bennett as they approached the finish line.

The 26-year-old, who won the Milan-San Remo in March this year and came third on Sunday’s first stage in Scotland, finished in just over five hours on this wet and miserable Lake District leg to claim the IG Gold leaders jersey.

Great Britain’s Simon Yates is up to second in the general classification table after coming fourth – with riders covering 186.6km including the race’s first Category 1 climb – on this Carlisle-Kendal stage.

Sir Bradley Wiggins crossed the line 17 seconds off the lead for Team Sky and is 12th overall, but there was more disappointment for Omega Pharma Quick-Step’s Mark Cavendish, who darted out in front of the leading group with 10km left before Lovkvist started to build up a lead with 8km to go.

Cavendish had the platform laid for him by his team-mates on Sunday’s first ride from Peebles to Drumlanrig Castle, but he was boxed in and slipped off the pace.

Yesterday he finished down the pack a massive 47 seconds behind Ciolek.

Movistar’s Angel Madrazo was awarded the Rouleur Combativity Award and is the new wearer of the Skoda KOM Jersey, while Nicola Boem of Bardiani Valvole CSF Inox will wear the Yodel Direct Sprints jersey for the third stage.

The third stage on Tuesday takes the riders on a 10-mile time trial starting and finishing at Knowsley Safari Park.

n RadioShack insist bungling Spanish Anti-Doping Agency officials are responsible for Chris Horner missing an out-of-competition anti-doping test yesterday morning.

Horner became the oldest winner of a Grand Tour on Sunday when he secured victory in the Vuelta a Espana at the age of 41 in the biggest triumph of his career.

Reports emerged yesterday that Horner failed to complete a random test, but RadioShack have issued a statement accompanied by screenshots of emails sent by the American to clarify that the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency is at fault.

“Chris Horner updated his whereabouts with United States Anti-Doping Agency before the start of the final stage,” the statement read.

“He gave USADA the name of his hotel for the night, phone number and room number for his one-hour window between 6 to 7am.

“This is all according to the rules and Chris Horner received a confirmation email.

“The anti-doping inspectors from the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency that were asked to do the test by USADA showed up at the wrong hotel in Madrid, where the team was staying but Horner was obviously not to be found.”

RadioShack are frustrated news of the missed test was made public, adding: “We will seek compensation for this matter with the responsible anti-doping agencies.”