McEwen wins sixth stage of Tour de France

VITRE: Australian Robbie McEwen sprinted to his third stage win in this year's Tour de France when he claimed the 189-km sixth stage from Lisieux to Vitre on Friday.

Italy's Daniele Bennati was second with world champion Tom Boonen of Belgium third. The Quick Step rider, who retains his overall leader's yellow jersey, has yet to win a stage in 2006.

After several breakaway attempts, 17 riders, including Boonen and Norway's Thor Hushovd, took off from the peloton after some 60 kms.

They were soon caught by the main pack although Florent Brard, Magnus Backstedt and Anthony Geslin were left in front until they were less than 10 kms from the line.

McEwen burst from the peloton in the final straight to grab victory.

Saturday's time trial over 52 km in Rennes should be the first big test of the Tour.

Tour de France sixth stage results:
1. Robbie McEwen (AUS/DAV) 4h 10min 17sec
2. Daniele Bennati (ITA/LAM) at 0:00
3. Tom Boonen (BEL/QST) 0:00
4. Bernhard Eisel (AUT/FDJ) 0:00
5. Thor Hushovd (NOR/CA) 0:00
6. Oscar Freire (ESP/RAB) 0:00
7. Erik Zabel (GER/MIL) 0:00
8. Luca Paolini (ITA/LIQ) 0:00
9. Gert Steegmans (BEL/DAV) 0:00
10. Inaki Isasi (ESP/EUS) 0:00