French cyclist Arnaud Demare beat Alexander Kristoff in a sprint to the line to win the second stage of the Criterium du Dauphine.
Belgian rider Thomas De Gendt, the winner of the first stage, retained the overall lead.
Stage two, which was a flat route of 171 kilometres from Saint-Chamond to Arlanc, featured a long final straight of 4.5 kilometres. Demare comfortably held off Kristoff, from Norway, with Nacer Bouhanni of France third.
"It's a big satisfaction to win at the Dauphine," Demare said.
"It's preparation for the Tour de France, so it's a good sign."
Defending champion Chris Froome, who is bidding to win the race for the fourth time, placed safely in the main pack along with Australians Richie Porte and Simon Clarke. The trio are just over one minute behind De Gendt overall.
The third stage on Tuesday is another flat one favouring sprinters, taking riders over 184 kilometres from Le Chambon-sur-Lignon to Tullins.
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