Peter Sagan of Slovakia, center, crosses the finish line ahead of Frances Julian Alaphilippe, right, to win the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 183 kilometers (113.7 miles) with start in Saint-Lo and finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France, Sunday, July 3, 2016. AP Photo/Christophe Ena
CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN, France — World champion Peter Sagan of Slovakia made the most of a steep and short climb to win the second stage of the Tour de France on Sunday.
Sagan used his power on the 1.9-kilometer Cote de la Glacerie leading to the finish line in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin to claim the win ahead of Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, who started the final sprint.
Spaniard Alejandro Valverde was third.
Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, who hit the ground for the second consecutive day, was dropped in the final climb.