Cycling: McEwen wins stage, Hushovd back in yellow

ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, Luxembourg - Australian cyclist Robbie McEwen outsprinted world champion Tom Boonen in a hectic finish to win the second stage of the Tour de France today.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd was third despite losing a pedal a dozen metres from the line and reclaimed the yellow jersey he lost to American George Hincapie after colliding with an advertising board held by a spectator yesterday.

"I didn't expect to take back the yellow jersey after what happened yesterday," Hushovd said.

"It was pretty hard today but I managed to forget the pain and to stay in high spirits.

"In the morning, I was in pain and didn't have full movement in my arm but I think it will get better and better and we'll do everything we can to keep the jersey," added the winner of Saturday's prologue.

A pile-up near the end of the 228.5km stage from Obernai to Esch-sur-Alzettestage eliminated more than half of the riders from the finish, including France's Jimmy Casper - surprise winner of the second stage. None of the riders were injured.

The crash occurred just behind the top sprinters and 34-year-old McEwen was strong enough to pip Belgian Boonen.

"For me, the most important thing in the Tour de France is to win a stage," said Davitamon rider McEwen, who now has nine victories to his name in the Tour.

"After the first week, I'll start thinking about the green jersey. I won it twice (in 2002 and 2004) but I also lost it twice and I know it's always a real war," he added.

In scorching heat, Aitor Hernandez of the Euskatel-Euskadi team and Saunier-Duval rider David de la Fuente broke away four kilometres into the stage.

The two Spaniards quickly built a solid gap over the main bunch, culminating at 11 minutes and 40 seconds after 30 kilometres just before the two first climbs of the day, third-category passes Col des Pandours and Col de Valsberg.

Their lead had decreased to three minutes with less than 50 km to go and Hernandez dropped off the pace on the fourth category Cote de Kedange-sur-Canner.

De la Fuente persisted in his solo effort but was caught just before the top of the last ascent, the Cote de Volmerange, after a 209.5km escape.

Tomorrow's 216.5km third stage will take the riders through the three Benelux countries, starting in Luxembourg, making an incursion into Belgium and finishing in the Netherlands, in Valkenburg.

- REUTERS