Contador has a two-second lead at the top of the overall standings

Britain's Geraint Thomas secured a second top-10 finish at the Criterium de Dauphine Libere on stage two but relinquished his green points jersey.

The Team Sky rider crossed in ninth as Saxo Bank's Juan Jose Haedo beat him on the line in the 177km stage from Annonay to Bourg-Saint-Andeol.

Thomas remains fourth overall, 10 seconds behind leader Alberto Contador.

Astana's Spaniard retained the overall yellow jersey, while Briton David Millar climbed into 10th place.

Although the riders encountered heavy rain at start to the day, Team Sky ensured Thomas was given plenty of support as they attacked the stage with Edvald Boasson Hagen and Russell Downing leading out the Welshman.

606: DEBATE I thought the thing about getting Geraint up there was to test him out and see what happens pigeons in the park

Thomas made his move in the final 300 metres but was pipped by Argentine Haedo on the line.

"You have to be flexible, but you also need a fair bit of luck and today I found that little gap to go through and so I had some of that," said Haedo.

Wednesday's third stage is a 49km time-trial from Monteux to Sorgues. The event finishes on Sunday.

Criterium du Dauphine stage two results:

1. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg/Saxo Bank) 4hrs 24mins 10 secs
2. Martin Reimer (Ger/Cervelo) same time
3. Grega Bole (Slo/Lampre)
4. Sebastien Chavanel (Fra/FDJ)
5. Roger Kluge (Ger/Milram)
6. Andreas Stauff (Ger/Quick Step)
7. Jeremie Galland (Fra/Saur)
8. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra/Cofidis)
9. Geraint Thomas (GBR/Sky)
10. Michel Kreder (Ned/Garmin)

Overall standings:

1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa/Astana) 9hrs 20mins 08secs
2. Tejay Van Garderen (USA/HTC) +2 secs
3. Janez Brajkovic (Slo/Radioshack) +5 secs
4. Geraint Thomas (GB/Sky) +10 secs
5. Dario Cataldo (Ita/Quick Step) +12 secs

Selected others:

10. David Millar (GB/Garmin) +15 secs

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