The third stage involved tackling a hilly 21km (13-mile) circuit three times and Cavendish, a 15-time stage winner in the Tour de France, trailed in 12 minutes behind winner Rabobank's Michael Matthews of Australia.

BBC: Mark Cavendish

What seems certain is that the McLaren and Ferrari drivers will stage another tight battle at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday.

BBC: Positions after lap 65 of 65

The first stage was 117km based on a 13km circuit around Chew Valley Lake.

BBC: Juniors struggle in second round of British road series

The 10-year deal to stage a round of the F1 world championship at the circuit will see the elite division of motorsport return to the U.S. for the first time since 2007.

CNN: U.S. GP back on as 2012 F1 calendar confirmed

The stage got off to a cautious start around a twisting and frequently narrow circuit and it soon became apparent that the riders, spurred by Horrillo's crash, were on a go-slow in protest at what they perceived to be the dangerous nature of the course.

CNN: Cavendish takes stage after riders protest