BRIGNOLLES, France — Britain's Mark Cavendish has won the second stage of the Tour de France, with seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finishing safely in the trailing pack.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland kept the overall lead. He won the opening time trial a day earlier to take the yellow jersey.

The tricky, 116-mile course began in the principality of Monaco on Sunday and ended in Brignoles, France. The stage featured four minor climbs in the sun-baked hills of Provence along the Mediterranean. The layout favored sprinters and breakaway specialists.

The three-week race finishes July 26 in Paris.