Cycling: Hushovd disqualified in Tour de France

Norwegian Thor Hushovd, of Credit Agricole, was disqualified from the fourth stage of the Tour de France yesterday for irregular sprinting.

Hushovd, who wore the yellow jersey here after winning the race prologue, was ruled to have blocked Austrian sprinter Bernhard Eisel as both riders raced to the finish line in a bunch sprint.

Australian Robbie McEwen, of Davitamon, won the sprint well ahead of his rivals to claim his second stage of the race and 10th of his career, allowing him to reclaim the race's green jersey for the points competition.

Hushovd is a teammate of New Zealander Julian Dean, who fell near the finish after leading Hushovd into the final sprint.

Tom Boonen of Belgium leads general classification.