After a number of near-misses in the Etoile de Besseges, John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) has finally got the ball rolling in the Tour Mediteraneen after adding the win on stage 2 to the one he took on the opening day. Having been superior in the final sprint, the German was pleased to take such a convincing victory and owed it to the difficult nature of the course.

Even the burden of wearing the leader's jersey didn't stop  John Degenkolb (GER) from winning stage 2 of the Tour Méditerranéen. After another dominant team display on today's 170km second stage, Degenkolb again sprinted to victory, taking his second win in as many days and preserving his overall lead of the race.

Tom Peterson and Thierry Hupond were back on pacing duty today as they controlled the bunch together with road captain, Johannes Fröhlinger and gradually brought back the day's breakaway. Towards the end of the stage the peloton split and about 50-riders pulled clear. The rest of the team helped keep Degenkolb out of trouble and control the pace until the finish where he once again showed his turn of pace to take his second win in as many days.

Degenkolb was happy that he had taken such a convincing win and praised his team for their support.

"I felt really good at the finish today and in the end won by a few bike lengths which is always a good feeling. Like yesterday the guys did a great job controlling the race, and I'm really just the guy who finishes it off at the end - they do most of the work.

"I still had four guys with me at the finish and they let it out from with 4km to go and set me up perfectly. I can really feel the stiffness of the bike too. I'm riding the Giant Propel Advanced SL and everything you put through it comes straight out as speed; it feels great to ride. We stuck to the plan today and it paid off.

"I took advantage of the opportunity," he added to Directvelo. "It is a good win for me and the team. I feel that I have really improved. Compared to previous years, I start my season much better. Generally, I think our team has turned a corner in recent months. We have very strong riders, powerful, with big motors. Everyone has more experience. Everyone makes progress at Giant-Shimano! We make the right decisions at the right time. This is the key to our success.

"It is a great feeling to be able to finish off the superb work done by my teammates throughout the day. There were only two riders in the breakaway and we were able to control the race. I am very proud to be riding in this team and to be supported by such riders.

Degenkolb made it clear that his superiority had been due to the difficult nature of the course that had included the Col du Petit Galibier in the finale.

"It is true that I won by a few metres today but I want to clarify that there weren't many sprinters in the first group," he said. "This type of stage is perfect for me because there are some pretty tough climbs in the finale. This stage has tired the sprinters. For me, it is perfect to arrive at the finishing straight in these conditions."

Degenkolb has one final chance to take a win in tomorrow's opening half stage that is expected to again end in a sprint. However, he is keen to stress that the main objective is the GC where the team will support Etoile de Besseges winner Tobias Ludvigsson and Warren Barguil.

"I don't know if I can win a third stage tomorrow," he said. "I am already very happy with my week. The most important thing was that the leaders of the team finished in the first group and can still fight for the GC tomorrow afternoon in the time trial. That remains our top priority.

"We must remember that it is not just me or the team in this race that performs well. We are really talking about the entire team making a great start to the season. The guys did a great Dubai Tour. The women's team also did a great Tour of Qatar. Everything is going well."

Coach, Marc Reef was equally vocal in his appraisal of the team.

"The guys did really well to let a small break of just two riders get away early on, making the chase easier behind," he said. "This meant that they could focus on another sprint stage for John as well as controlling the bunch too.

"Tom, Thierry and Johannes did a great job on the front once again, and when the rest of the guys took over later on they were always in control and set John up perfectly. It's great to see John full of confidence and sprinting so well."

The win sees Degenkolb retain his overall lead of the race and also adds to his lead in the points classification.