Second California win for Cavendish

LIGHTNING has struck twice for Mark Cavendish in California, as the British cyclist has powered to his second successive stage win to claim the Green Jersey.

GREEN GIANT: Britain's Mark Cavendish assumes Green Jersey in California (Getty Images)

Cavendish, fresh from his first stage win of the race yesterday, was again presented with the perfect opportunity to sprint to the line, and he didn't disappoint, again edging out Tom Boonen.

Again it was Belgium's Boonen who was closest to the 23-year-old Brit, but again Cavendish proved too strong in the sprint finish to claim his 32nd stage win of his career, and assume the lead in the points competition.

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Having claimed victory yesterday in a stage that contained numerous climbs, it comes as no surprise that Cavendish has doubled up in stage five.

It's the longest stage in the race - 134.3 miles from Visalia to Paso Robles - without a hill or bump along the way.

"This was the day that I was planning on winning this year," said Cavendish. "It was a hard day; harder than expected.  It seems like they've replicated the Tour de France with the speed and the par course.  It has been incredibly hard."

"This stage win is massively important. Any stage in this race is big.  It's big for the team, and this one is a bit more personal because it's close to home.  Every other stage is important, but this one is a bit more personal."

A four-man break of Glen Chadwick, Pieter Weening, Cameron Evans and Matthew Crane held out for over 100 miles and were still out in front with less than four kilometres to go.

But Team Columbia timed their burst to perfection, gifting Cavendish the chance to claim victory by more than a bike's length ahead of Boonen.

Levi Leipheimer finished safely in the peleton and remains the overall leader.