A shootout with Belgian police that led to the capture of Europe's most-wanted man may have been criminal but it was not terrorism, his lawyer has argued.

NICKI SORENSEN broke clear late on from a long-time breakaway group of seven riders to win Stage 12 of the Tour de France as sprint king Mark Cavendish spent a well-deserved day in the peloton.

FRANCE’S Sandy Casar won the 18th stage of the Tour de France between Cahors and Angouleme in a sprint finish yesterday.

AUSTRALIAN Robbie McEwen stole through to claim a sprint finish win on the fourth stage of the Tour de France in Saint-Quentin yesterday as world champion Tom Boonen held on to the yellow jersey.