The 22-year-old Team Columbia rider held off Michele Merlo of Barloworld and stage one winner Chris Sutton of Garmin to take his first win in this year's race.
 

Hagen, who will race for the British-run Team Sky next year, won three stages of the 2008 Tour of Britain.
 

A four-rider breakaway was caught 15 kilometres from the end of the 153.8km stage through the Scottish borders from Peebles.
 

And a late attack from Agritubel's Emilien Berges was also swept up by the peloton to set up another sprint finish.
 

Hagen moved up to second in the overall standings, 11 seconds behind Dutchman Kai Reus who retains the yellow jersey for tomorrow's 148km loop around Blackpool.


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