GATESHEAD, England, Sept 12, 2008 (AFP) – Italian sprint ace Alessandro Petacchi grabbed his second stage win of the Tour of Britain here on Friday while France’s Geoffroy Lequatre retained the leader’s yellow jersey.

Britain’s Rob Hayles just missed out on catching Petacchi on the line after a sprint finish to the sixth stage while stage four and five winner Edvald Boasson Hagen of Team Columbia was a place further back.

Lequatre, who rides for Agritubel, retained the yellow jersey for the third successive day with home hope Steve Cummings second in the overall standings.

Petacchi, 34, who recently returned to action with a new team, LPR, after suspension for a doping offense and his subsequent sacking by Milram, had also won the opening stage of the race.

He said: “The sprint was very difficult because it was so wet out on the course – Rob Hayles was going well but thankfully I just managed to pip him.

“My target now is to take a third stage win in Liverpool on Sunday. I think it will be another sprint finish there so it should be good for me and I will be going for it.”

Hayles, who finished second to Petacchi on Sunday in London, could not hide his frustration.

“I’m gutted to miss out on the win for the second time – it’s awful and is hard to take,” Hayles said. “At the same time I know I have to take it and I’m pleased in a way because I know I gave everything that I had.”