Pingtung City, Taiwan - John Murphy of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis earned the yellow leader's jersey during the second stage of the 2008 Tour de Taiwan in much the same way he earned the green points jersey in Stage 1.

Murphy won the second and third intermediate sprints out on the road during the 111 km circuit race, run on a 14 km course, and finished 10th on the stage while helping teammate Kirk O'Bee to 7th on the stage. Time bonuses for the sprint moved him ahead of previous leader Kam Po Wong of Team Hong Kong.

"For the second day in a row, the team executed really well in leading out Murphy for the sprints," said team directeur sportif Mike Tamayo. "They were never in doubt."

The 24-year-old Murphy now finds himself in the yellow leader's jersey in his first major UCI stage race in Asia. "I was really excited to take the green jersey after the first stage," Murphy said. "But having the yellow jersey is one of the highlights of my career."

Murphy will look to defend his yellow jersey, as well as continue to extend his lead in the points competition during Tuesday's 117 km stage that starts and finishes in Baguashan. The stage includes the first major climb of the race, a 20 km climb around Baguashan.