A - Young Australian cyclist Leigh Howard claimed the biggest win of his career when he outkicked sprint superstar Mark Cavendish to win the second stage of the Tour of Britain.

Riding in a youthful squad fielded by Australian team GreenEDGE-Orica, former track star Howard, 22, opened eyes to his talent as he came off Cavendish's wheel with 250 metres to go and held on to beat the British ace on his home soil on Monday.

"I feel a huge sense of relief," admitted Howard.

"It's been a long season looking for a win. I've tried time and time again.

"I knew I had made a step forward in terms of my strength this year, and it's taken this long to finally see the results."

Team Sky's Cavendish was led out in the sprint by Bradley Wiggins and stage one winner Luke Rowe but could not match Howard after the 180km ride from Nottingham to Knowsley Safari Park.

Howard is contesting the eight-day tour with teammates Jack Bobridge, Brett Lancaster, Michael Hepburn and Aidis Kruopis.

He paid tribute to his team, particularly, Lithuanian Kruopis, for bring him to the front of the field at the right time.

"It was really nice not to have to think too much with Aidis looking after me," Howard told the team website.

"As a sprinter, he knows where we want to be. I trusted him and followed his wheel during the last 20 kilometres.

"He had done so much work for so long that he ran out of legs 1.5 kilometres from the line. That's when I jumped on Cav's (Cavendish's) wheel.

"I had to fight hard to get Cav's wheel, but I did get it.

"I went through the last few corners on his wheel. They were tight turns, so it was single-file coming out of the last corner onto the home stretch.

"I started my sprint at 250 metres.

"It's a long sprint, but I've learned that I've got a bit more length in my sprint from the leads out I've done throughout the season."