Hushovd reclaims yellow jersey

NORWEGIAN Thor Hushovd reclaimed the yellow jersey after Australian Robbie McEwen outsprinted world champion Tom Boonen to win the second stage of the Tour de France yesterday.

McEwen claimed a ninth career stage victory by beating Boonen in a mass finish to the 228.5km stage from Obernai to Esch-sur-Alzette after a crash allowed Matthias Kessler to be caught in the closing stages.

Hushovd finished third to take the leader’s jersey from American George Hincapie after narrowly avoiding a high-speed crash when his left foot popped out of the pedal in the closing stages.