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McEwen snatches Tour sprint victory
MONTARGIS, France, July 6 (Reuters) - Australia's Robbie McEwen outsprinted Belgian Tom Boonen to win the Tour de France's fifth stage with a spirit of revenge on Wednesday. Winner of the points classification last year, the Australian champion beat Boonen on the line at Montargis to claim the sixth Tour stage of his career. Boonen, who dominated the previous two mass sprint finishes in the second and third stages, was first into action in the finish. But he ran out of gas close to the line and a last-gasp kick was enough for the Davitamon Lotto leader to overtake him. Victory was all the sweeter for McEwen as he had been disqualified two days earlier after being involved in a brawl with compatriot Stuart O'Grady. Norway's Thor Hushovd was third in the same time, while six-times winner and overall race leader Lance Armstrong finished back in the peloton. "Today I timed it just right," said McEwen after winning a stage at the third attempt since the weekend. "The first time, I started too far down. The second I was disqualified. This time I'm the fastest. "It's a sort of revenge as I was really frustrated after the
disqualification. I think it's a reversal of situation that will make sure we
keep having an interesting green (points) jersey competition."
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