Bradley Wiggins in range of Tour of Catalonia lead

Sir Bradley Wiggins is 20 seconds off leader Gianni Meersman after the second stage of the Tour of Catalonia.

Tour de France winner Wiggins came home 37th alongside Team Sky team-mates David Lopez and Dario Cataldo, but safely within the main peloton.

Meersman won his second successive stage win to extend a lead that stood at four seconds after the first day.

Five stages remain with Wednesday's 180km ride to Valter 2000, the first day in the Pyrenees mountains.

Tuesday's result leaves Wiggins, 32, eighth in the overall standings before the start of the serious climbing.

The trio worked alongside rival teams Blanco and Omega Pharma, to push along the pace with the rest of the pack and reel in an early three-man breakaway led by Christian Meier.

The peloton's efforts were rewarded as the trio were overhauled with 20km of the 161km course to go, at the end of the second of four laps around the day's destination Banyoles.

Although Meersman prevailed in the final sprint, chased home by Daniele Ratto and Brett Lancaster, Wiggins followed shortly after to minimise the Belgian's gains.

Tour of Catalonia Stage Two results:

1. Gianni Meersman (Belgium / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 3:48:09"

2. Daniele Ratto (Italy / Cannondale) Same Time

3. Brett Lancaster (Australia / Orica) ""

4. Samuel Dumoulin (France / AG2R) ""

5. Robert Wagner (Germany / Blanco) ""

6. Julien Simon (France / Sojasun) ""

Tour of Catalonia overall classification:

1. Gianni Meersman (Belgium / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 7:43:46"

2. Valerio Agnoli (Italy / Astana) +14"

3. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Movistar) +16"

4. Danilo Wyss (Switzerland / BMC Racing) +20"

5. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / Blanco) Same Time

6. Dario Cataldo (Italy / Team Sky) ""

7. David Lopez (Spain / Team Sky) ""

8. Bradley Wiggins (Britain / Team Sky) ""