Russian Sivakov claims maiden win for Alps overall lead

Scena - Team Sky's Pavel Sivakov won the second day of racing to take the leader's jersey in the Tour of the Alps and his first senior victory on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old finished four seconds ahead of Astana's Jan Hirt and holds an eight-second advantage over the Czech rider in the general classification after 178km between Alpbachtal in Austria and Schenna in Italy.

Russian Sivakov's team-mate Chris Froome ended a disappointing day trailing by 1min 36 after keeping in touch with the favourites until the Monte Giovo pass summit 34km from the finish line.

Day-one leader Tao Geoghegan Hart crossed the finish line in eighth and trails Sivakov by 43 seconds going into Wednesday's 106km third stage from Salorno to Baselga di Pine, north of the Italian town of Trento.

Results from the second stage of the Tour des Alpes over 178 kilometres a between Alpbachtal in Austria and Scena in Italy:

1. Pavel Sivakov (RUS/SKY) 4h 58min 17 sec, 2. Jan Hirt (CZE/AST) at 4sec, 3. Mattia Cattaneo (ITA/AND) 17, 4. Fausto Masnada (ITA/AND) 22, 5. Hermann Pernsteiner (AUT/BAH) 29

Overall standings:

1. Pavel Sivakov (RUS/SKY) 8hrs 28min 55sec, 2. Jan Hirt (CZE/AST) 8, 3. Mattia Cattaneo (ITA/AND) 33, 4. Rafal Majka (POL/BOR) 39, 5. Hermann Pernsteiner (AUT/BAH) 43