Will Clarke takes the day with emphatic solo victory.

Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under saw the riders take a 148km route from Lobethal to Stirling, finishing with three laps of the 21.6km Stirling circuit.

Will Clarke spent the entire day in the lead to take the first victory of his professional career.

Entering the final lap of the circuit, Clarke maintained a 9 minute advantage over the chasing peloton.

The fatigue of being in front of the race all day began to take its toll, costing Clarke several mintues, but he was able to hold on for an absolutely epic solo victory. Chapeau.

Team BMC Tour Down Under 2012

Team BMC

Greenedge Tour Down Under 2012

Travis and Cameron Meyer

Team Radioshack Tour Down Under 2012

Simon Gerrans Tour Down Under 2012

Simon Gerrans

Alejandro Valverde Tour Down Under 2012

Alejandro Valverde

Start Tour Down Under 2012

Team Saxo Bank Tour Down Under 2012

Bjarne Riis

Jens Voigt Tour Down Under 2012

Jens Voigt

Feed Zone Tour Down Under 2012

Cameron Meyer Tour Down Under 2012

Cameron Meyer

Will Clarke Tour Down Under 2012

Will Clarke