McEwen Wins 6th Stage in Tour De France

VITRE, France (AP) _ Robbie McEwen of Australia won the sixth stage of the Tour de France on Friday _ the sprinter's third stage victory in this race _ while Tom Boonen of Belgium kept the overall

Friday, July 7th 2006, 8:37 am

By: News On 6

VITRE, France (AP) _ Robbie McEwen of Australia won the sixth stage of the Tour de France on Friday _ the sprinter's third stage victory in this race _ while Tom Boonen of Belgium kept the overall lead.

McEwen consolidated his lead in the green-jersey competition for sprinters by winning the final dash to the line in the 117-mile race through Normandy. He has won 11 stages in nine Tours.

The Davitamon-Lotto cyclist was timed in 4 hours, 10 minutes, 17 seconds on the run from Lisieux to Vitre, in northwest Brittany, averaging 28 mph.

Italy's Daniele Bennati _ his left thigh still painful after a crash Thursday _ was second, with Boonen third. They had the same time as McEwen, whose win vaulted him to second in the overall standings, 12 seconds behind Boonen.

``It's fantastic,'' McEwen said. ``I had not imagined three stages in the first week.''

McEwen again praised teammate Gert Steegmans, who led him into the final sprints, likening the Belgian to France's sleek, high-speed trains.

``I'm the only one with a ticket and I just have to get off at my station,'' McEwen said, referring to Steegmans' role as his setup rider. ``When he started, I really had to jump to go with him, and if I really have to jump to go with somebody in the wheel, it means that nobody can probably follow.''

Boonen, the Quickstep star still winless in this Tour, will wear the race leader's yellow jersey for a fourth straight day Saturday in the first long time trial. That race against the clock should provide the first solid indication of the favorites in a field stripped of its stars by a doping scandal before the three-week race began July 1.

Riders will set off one by one for the mostly flat 32-mile loop from Saint-Gregoire to Rennes. As the leader, Boonen will start last.

World time-trial champion Michael Rogers of Australia, David Millar of Britian and David Zabriskie, George Hincapie and Floyd Landis _ all of the United States _ will be looking to make their mark.

McEwen and Boonen are not considered contenders for the overall title. They are instead vying for the green jersey that the Australian won in 2002 and 2004.

McEwen widened his green-jersey points lead over Boonen, and is now in front 157-147. Spain's Oscar Freire is third at 135.

With many sprints still left to decide the green jersey before the race ends in Paris on July 23, McEwen said: ``It's getting toward the time to start thinking about tactics.''