Aussie grabs 2nd stage as Tour starts to heat up
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-07 06:47

Australia's Robbie McEwen sprinted to victory in the 197 km second stage of the Tour de France on Monday while Lance Armstrong spent another quiet day on the treacherous roads of Belgium.

The American, bidding for an unprecedented sixth victory, warned his rivals with a brilliant performance in the prologue and is expected to keep comfortably hidden inside the main bunch until Wednesday's team time trial.

McEwen, edged out by Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu in Sunday's first stage, made no mistake on Monday, surging through in impressive fashion to capture the last Belgian stage in this Tour.

"It's not a revenge," said McEwen. "Yesterday, I was a little short even though I'm sure I was the strongest too.

"I surged in the last stretch and when I saw the 200 metres sign I knew it was my day."

Thor Hushovd, third in Charleroi 24 hours earlier, was second this time to seize the overall Tour lead, becoming the first Norwegian in the 101 years of the event to wear the coveted yellow jersey.

"I've achieved two of my dreams by taking the (points classification) green jersey and now the yellow jersey," Hushovd said.

"Now hopefully I can win the stage tomorrow," he added about Tuesday's 210 km third stage from Waterloo to Wasquehal.

France's Jean-Patrick Nazon was third in the final sprint, marred by a spectacular crash just 20 metres from the finish involving Norwegian Kurt-Asle Arvesen and France's Jimmy Casper.

Hushovd leads Swiss Fabian Cancellara by eight seconds in the overall classification with McEwen third 17 seconds behind.

Armstrong, who finished the stage in 85th, slipped a place in the overall rankings to sit fourth, a further second adrift.

The Texan was involved in a mass crash on the first stage last year and has always said he feared the dangers and nervousness of the early flat stages of the Tour.

His worries again proved legitimate. Before the final crash between Arvesen and Casper, two riders had been forced out of the Tour on Monday.

Australian Nick Gates finished outside the time limit in Sunday's first stage after seriously injuring his knee while Italian Gian Matteo Fagnini crashed and broke his collarbone.

McEwen dedicated his victory to Gates, who belongs to his Lotto-Dom team, and to his former team mate Steven Vermaut, who died of a heart attack last week.

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