Cavendish wins Ireland second stage, Armstrong same time

Team Columbia rider Mark Cavendish of Britain raises his arms as he wins the second stage of the Tour of Ireland cycling race in Killarney August 22, 2009.

KILLARNEY, Ireland (Reuters) - Britain's Mark Cavendish won the second stage of the Tour of Ireland on Saturday in another sprint finish. Lance Armstrong came home safely in the pack in 74th place, in the same time as Cavendish.

Team Columbia rider Cavendish, whose outstanding performance in last month's Tour de France included victory in the final sprint on the Champs-Elysees, beat off Belgium's Michael Van Staeyen and Australia's Stuart O'Grady.

Armstrong, seven-times Tour de France winner, lies 20th overall but played down his chances of overall victory in Sunday's final stage from Bantry to Cork.

The 185 km-stage ends with a circuit that includes three climbs of St Patrick's Hill.

"It's a hard climb and there should be bodies everywhere. It's one of the few things I remember from when I last raced in Ireland in 1992," Armstrong said.

"If there are showers and the weather turns bad, it could be a tough day, a classic day. I'll try and stay in the front but it won't be easy."

After completing the race, Armstrong will head to Dublin for a Livestrong Global Cancer Summit organized by his foundation.

Saturday's victory was Cavendish's 21st win of the season. He told reporters: "This was a team victory, as it always is. One guy crosses the line with his arms in the air but it's a success for all of us and we all get a glass of wine at dinner."

He added: "I've been ill in the last couple of weeks, but I'm going to keep racing. I've got the Tour of Missouri in the USA, then the world championships and Paris-Tours."

Briton Russell Downing leads the overall standings by five seconds going into Sunday, 26 seconds clear of Armstrong and over two minutes ahead of Cavendish.

(Editing by Dave Thompson)