Bradley Wiggins wins second stage of Tour of California

Bradley Wiggins of Britain, the 2012 Tour de France winner and Olympic time trial gold medalist, powered to a 44-second victory Monday in the Stage 2 individual time trial and moved into the race lead at the Amgen Tour of California.

Wiggins (SKY), the 98th rider in the field of 128, completed the flat 12.5-mile course in 23 minutes 18 seconds at an average speed of 32 mph.

Rohan Dennis (Garmin-Sharp) of Australia, who finished about one hour before Wiggins, was second in 24:02.

American Taylor Phinney (BMC) was third in 24:10.

Wiggins leads the eight-day race by 44 seconds over Dennis and 52 seconds over Phinney.

Alison Powers of the United States (UnitedHealthcare) claimed the earlier 20-rider women’s time trial, held on the same course, in 27:40. Mark Cavendish of Britain (Omega Pharma Quick-Step), who held the first-day lead after his sprint win in Stage 1, finished 27th.