Hushovd Takes Overall Lead; Hincapie in Fourth

Norway’s Thor Hushovd reclaimed the overall Tour de France lead from George Hincapie on Monday during a sweltering ride in which Australia’s Robbie McEwen won the second stage in a sprint finish.

Hincapie, the fourth American to wear the leader’s yellow jersey in the 103-year history of the Tour, dropped to fourth overall. Belgium’s Tom Boonen is second and McEwen third.

McEwen, a sprinter from the Davitamon-Lotto team, was followed by Boonen in the 137-mile stage.

Hushovd was third after his left shoe popped out of its pedal in the final stretch.

This was the ninth stage victory in nine Tours for McEwen. He is trying to win the green jersey as the three-week race’s best sprinter, a title he won in 2002 and 2004.

The route from Obernai in eastern France was the second-longest stage in this year’s race. Riders had to withstand intense sunshine, with road temperatures climbing to nearly 122 degrees.

“It makes a long hard day. You have to drink a lot,” McEwen said.

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STAGE 2 AT A GLANCE

* Monday: The second stage was a 137-mile ride in hot conditions from Obernai in northeastern France to Esch-sur-Alzette in neighboring Luxembourg.

* Winner: Australia’s Robbie McEwen of the Davitamon-Lotto team in 5 hours, 36 minutes, 14 seconds. Tom Boonen, a Belgian with Quick Step-Innergetic, was second. Norway’s Thor Hushovd of Credit Agricole was third.

* Yellow Jersey: Hushovd reclaimed the leader’s jersey from the United States’ George Hincapie of Discovery Channel.

*--* STAGE 2 RESULTS OVERALL LEADERS 1. Robbie McEwen, 5:36:14 Hushovd, Norway 9:54:19 Australia 2. Tom Boonen, same time Boonen, Belgium 5 seconds behind Belgium 3. Thor Hushovd, same time McEwen, Australia 8 seconds behind Norway 4. Oscar Freire, same time George Hincapie, U.S. 10 seconds behind Spain 5. Daniele same time David Zabriskie, U.S. 16 seconds behind Bennati, Italy

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Source: Associated Press