Cycling: McEwen wins third Tour stage in first week

VITRE, France - Australian Robbie McEwen again outsprinted world champion Tom Boonen to clinch his third stage win in the first week of the Tour de France today.

The 189-km sixth stage from Lisieux was the last chance for the sprinters to shine before the first real test of the race, a 52-km time trial around Rennes tomorrow.

At the end of the 1.8-km final straight, the longest of the Tour, McEwen blasted to the front 150 meters from the line after being led out by Belgian Gert Steegmans and crossed a full bike length ahead of Italian Daniele Bennati.

Boonen (Quick-Step) finished third and kept the yellow jersey 12 seconds ahead of McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) whose compatriot and Olympic time-trial champion Michael Rogers was another nine seconds behind.

"Steegmans just did the same perfect job he did on stage four. Again he was really strong, it was like sitting on a TGV and I just had to get out at my stop," McEwen said.

"It's a credit to my team-mates and the fun just doesn't stop."

In a typical Breton drizzle, the peloton was in aggressive mood from the start. After several escape attempts, 17 riders launched the first significant breakaway of the day.

Boonen and several strong riders built a lead of one minute 40 seconds around the 60 kms mark before the CSC, Davitamon and Lampre team started the chase.

Boonen and his group were caught 20 kms later but three in the group - Frenchman Florent Brard, Sweden's Magnus Backstedt and Anthony Geslin of France - stayed ahead.

They lost their last hope of achieving the first successful long range breakaway of the Tour five kilometres from the line and the scene was set for the fifth sprint finish in the first six road stages.

The favourites for the overall win should become clear in tomorrow's time-trial from Saint-Gregoire to Rennes.

- REUTERS