Phinney first into Meppel

Taylor Phinney (Trek-Livestrong) won for the second straight day at the Olympia's Tour, besting Coen Vermeltfoort (Rabobank Continental Team) and Jos Pronk (Midi Center-Ruiter Wielerteam) in the field sprint deciding the opening 156.1km road stage. Phinney's teammates chased down an early 10-man break threatening the 19-year-old American's leader's jersey and then provided a textbook lead-out which Phinney parlayed into victory.

"My team kept me well in front," said Phinney. "At first I did not have good legs but when the tempo in the finale really went up, I felt better. Towards the finish line, I nestled behind the Rabobank team.

"Why not win all the stages? I feel super."

"Phinney surprised me in the sprint," said stage runner-up Vermeltfoort. "He went earlier than I expected then I was trapped. There are still more chances to win a sprint. We haven't given up yet."

Trek-Livestrong occupies the top three spots on general classification, with Phinney leading teammates Jesse Sergent and Alex Dowsett by 27 and 40 seconds respectively. Phinney also leads the sprint classification and the young rider's classification while this Trek-Livestrong squad tops team classification.

Phinney will defend his leader's jersey for another day on stage two tomorrow in which the peloton will cover 159.4km between Meppel and Gendringen.