Cycling: Boonen takes yellow jersey despite puncture

VALKENBURG, Netherlands - World champion Tom Boonen survived a puncture late in the third stage of the Tour de France cycling today to don the yellow jersey for the first time.

Boonen crossed the line in fourth position, enough to claim the overall lead from Norwegian Thor Hushovd, who was 63rd.

"I wanted to win the stage hoping the yellow jersey would follow but I suffered a puncture five kilometres from the finish," the Belgian said at the end of the 216.5km stage won by German Matthias Kessler.

"I preferred not to change bike."

The 25-year-old Boonen has yet to win a stage in this year's Tour.

"I saw (Robbie) McEwen explode and Hushovd explode, it was not a surprise, I expected it," he said.

"It was hard to climb the Cauberg as I couldn't stand on the pedals and I could not sprint for victory. This yellow jersey is a great reward."

Boonen was to take a one-second lead over Australian Michael Rogers in the 207km fourth stage from Huy to Saint-Quentin. American George Hincapie is third, five seconds adrift.

The race leader is regarded in Belgium as the man who embodies his country's passion for cycling.

"I, a Belgian, will ride across Belgium wearing the yellow jersey," said Boonen.

It has been five years since a Belgian, Marc Wauters, rode through his country wearing the yellow jersey. Before that it was Johann Bruyneel in 1995.

The peloton will cross the Ardennes area then Flanders before returning to France and ride some of the roads use in Paris-Roubaix but none of the cobblestones sectors.

To add spice to the race, Boonen also holds the green jersey, which is the ultimate objective of the three in-form sprinters.

The last time the Tour visited the area of Saint-Quentin, McEwen won the stage and claimed top spot in the general standings.

Third-place finishes in the Paris-Roubaix classic in 2002 and Ghent-Wevelgem the year after turned the spotlight on Boonen.

In 2004 he won Ghent-Wevelgem and two stages of the Tour de France.

A year later he clinched a rare Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders double, won two Tour de France stages and became world champion.

Boonen wore the green jersey for sprinters last year but a series of crashes forced him to withdraw from the race before the start of the 12th stage.

"To end the Tour with the green jersey is my main objective this year," he said.

"I hope I'll be more lucky."

- REUTERS