Cavendish has set himself a target of 11 wins this season

The T-Mobile rider, 22, was given the perfect lead-out by compatriot Roger Hammond and never looked under any real threat in the bunch sprint.

Cavendish's win matches Robbie McEwen's record of eight victories in his first season as a professional.

Belgium's Nick Nuyens of the Cofidis team remains the overall leader.

Cavendish, who will ride in the Tour of Britain next month, had no doubts about his ability when he reached the home straight.

"When I'm in the top three in the last 200 metres of a sprint, there's not many people out there can beat me," he said.

And having matched McEwen's first-season record, the 22-year-old revealed that he now has Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi's record in his sights.

"It's my eighth season win, now I want to get 11 victories like Petacchi."

Britain's David Millar, riding for Saunier Duval, remains in fourth place overall.

Stage two results

1. Mark Cavendish (GB) T-Mobile 4hr 31min 9secs
2. Fred Rodriguez (US) Predictor-Lotto @ same time
3. Wouter Weylandt (Bel) Quick-Step @ same time
4. Kenny van Hummel (Ned) Skil - Shimano @ same time
5. Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner @ same time
6. Alexei Markov (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne @ same time
7. Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre @ same time
8. Marco Zanotti (Ita) Unibet.com @ same time
9. Mirco Lorenzetto (Ita) Milram @ same time
10. Mirko Celestino (Ita) Milram @ same time