ROBBIE McEWEN claimed the ninth stage of the Tour de France by a whisker in the closest finish of the Tour so far.

Filippo Pozzatto timed his sprint finish to perfection to ride into Saint-Brieuc in front and hand the Fassa Bortolo team their second win of this year’s Tour de France.

AMERICAN cyclist Tyler Hamilton yesterday produced the biggest successful solo breakaway of the centenary Tour de France to post a win in the 16th stage that will go down as one of the most courageous in the 100-year history of the race.

Lance Armstrong's quest for a record fifth straight Tour De France title ran into an unexpected delay during today's 10th stage.

With Lance Armstrong marching effortlessly toward his third Tour de France title in succession, the sprinters took centre stage today.