MADRID, March 4, 2010 (AFP) – South Africa’s Robert Hunter won his second consecutive stage of the Tour of Murcia in southeastern Spain on Thursday, with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong five seconds back in 35th place.

Hunter, who rides for the Garmin team, beat Australia’s Graeme Brown and Spain’s Vicente Reynes in a sprint finish to take the 169.8-kilometer second stage and retain the yellow jersey.

The three finished in the same order in Wednesday’s first stage.

Armstrong, who is on only his second stage race of the year, finished with the main peleton.

That group also included Britain’s Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins, who was 31st, and last year’s Tour of Murcia winner Dennis Menchov of Russia, who was 38th.

“Muchas gracias to the people for the support here. I must say though, I’m a little surprised by it,” Armstrong, aiming to win an eighth Tour de France in July, said on his official Twitter site.

Stage:
1. Robert Hunter (RSA/Garmin) 4hr 20min 12sec
2. Graeme Brown (AUS/Rabobank) same time
3. Vicente Reyes (ESP/Columbia) s.t.
4. Alexandre Blain (FRA/Endura) s.t.
5. Daniel Schorn (AUT/Netapp) s.t.
Selected: 35. Lance Armstrong (USA/RadioShack) at 05sec, 38. Denis Menchov (RUS/Rabobank) s.t.

Overall standings:
1. Robert Hunter (RSA/Garmin) 8hr 35min 52sec
2. Graeme Brown (AUS/Rabobank) s.t.
3. Vicente Reynes (ESP/Columbia) s.t.
4. Daniel Schorn (AUT/Netapp) s.t.
5. Daryl Impey (RSA/RadioShack) s.t.
Selected: 27. Denis Menchov (RUS/Rabobank) at 05sec, 32. Lance Armstrong (USA/RadioShack) s.t.