Greg Henderson and Russell Downing landed a one-two for Team Sky on stage two of the Ster Elektrotoer on Friday.

New Zealander Henderson was perfectly set up by his teammates at the end of the 178km stage into Schimmert and finished things off in stunning style, with Downing the only man near him crossing the line.

Team Sky, who were bouncing back brilliantly from a difficult day on Thursday, moved to the head of the peloton with five kilometres remaining.

And they controlled things superbly, so much so that Downing was a clear-cut second, with Alex Rasmussen (Saxo Bank) well held in third.

Henderson jumped into fourth in the overall standings as a result, just seven seconds behind Jos van Emden (Rabobank).

Team Sky had been to the fore throughout a stage which covered plenty of the ground seen earlier this year in the Spring Classics at the Amstel Gold Race, with six short, sharp climbs - or 'bergs' - to negotiate, including the fabled Cauberg (after 135km).

Mathew Hayman and John-Lee Augustyn were in an early 19-man breakaway but when that had been reeled in, Peter Kennaugh took the opportunity to make his mark.

Kennaugh, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Tuesday, was part of a four-man escape who hoovered up the points on offer at five of the last six climbs. He was second on four of those and his display earned him the combative rider of the day award.

The quartet were finally collared just after cresting the Cauberg and the focus then switched to Henderson, Downing and co as they took centre stage when it mattered.

Perfect response

Henderson was understandably delighted when we caught up with him just after the finish - and keen to pay tribute to the way Team Sky had responded to Thursday's reverse.

He told us: "We didn't get it right on yesterday's stage. We just made some simple mistakes but we sat down afterwards, talked it through and vowed to learn from it - and that's exactly what everyone's done.

"We corrected those simple mistakes today, jockeyed positions around a little bit and it all worked out perfectly.

"I was just guiding them from behind, talking to them and making sure everyone knew where they had to be and when they had to do it."

Everything went to plan, so much so that Henderson described it as "textbook", adding: "When Russell took off for the sprint I gave him a bike length or two like I do on the track and then I took a run at it. The speed at the finish was just so high that there was no chance and no time for anyone to come round us.

"Russell ended up coming second - he came straight back in behind me as I'd gapped the guy who was on my wheel."

"It was a textbook finish from all the guys and it's nice to come here, show what Team Sky can do and get a stage win."

"No more to add to that, Greg's summed it up perfectly!" said Sports Director Steven de Jongh after hearing Henderson describe the stage. "We talked about yesterday and it was spot on today, the teamwork was great and you can't ask for much more than that."

Downing too echoed Henderson's comments, telling us: "I think Columbia came around 2k out over on the left-hand side but didn't get to us and someone else tried on the last corner but we went again with a brilliant train on the front.

"All the guys were doing massive turns and it's good to be part of a lead-out that wins again."

Looking ahead to the rest of the race, Downing added: "Tomorrow is quite a hard stage so we'll see what happens, see who gets in the mix.

"And then on Sunday we'll stick to the same plan to today and try and do it all over again."