Australian Robbie McEwen dominated another bunch sprint to claim victory in the 189km sixth stage of the Tour de France on Friday, his 11th career win in the race.
Belgian rival Tom Boonen, who finished a distant third, retained the race leader’s yellow jersey ahead of Saturday’s 52km time trial around Rennes.
McEwen, who won race stages on Monday and Wednesday, has already equalled his achievement of last year when he claimed three stages, but lost the points competition’s green jersey.
This victory, which boosted his chances of winning the green jersey for a third time, came at the end of another long home straight that his lead-out man, Gert Steegmans, forced his way through with McEwen on his wheel.
In the last 200 metres Steegmans dropped off, giving the 34-year-old McEwen a perfect launch pad for his final burst to the finish line.
McEwen finished with room to spare from Italian Daniele Bennati, of the Lampre team, who finished second. — AFP
