McEwen steals through to rob stage by a whisker
The Australian, riding for Lotto-Domo, won his second stage by less than half a wheel from two of his main rivals for the green jersey, Norwegian Thor Hushovd and fellow Australian Stuart O'Grady.
The trio were part of the peloton that caught breakaway riders Filippo Simeoni and Inigo Landaluze 100 metres from home.
Frenchman Thomas Voeckler was 29th and keeps the yellow jersey.
McEwen must be admired for his tactics in the final straight, when he positioned himself perfectly as the peloton closed in on Landaluze and Simeoni.
The result keeps McEwen seven points clear of Hushovd in the green jersey standings, and in buoyant mood.
"I'm suffering with my knee at the moment, and to win the stage was incredible," said McEwen.
"We caught the two guys in the final metres; I saw two riders to the left and right, but I gave everything I had and won.
"This is fantastic, especially as it could be the last stage I have a chance to win before the final one on the Champs-Elysees."
O'Grady can at least console himself that he cut Voeckler's lead in the overall standings by eight seconds, thanks to the time bonus he earned by finishing in the top three.
O'Grady is now two minutes and 53 seconds adrift of Brioches La Boulangere rider Voeckler, with Sandy Casar third, Magnus Backstedt fourth and Jakob Piil fifth.
Five-time winner Lance Armstrong remains 9:35 minutes behind the leader after riding into Gueret in 44th place.
Among the American's main rivals, his former US Postal team-mate Tyler Hamilton is 11th, 10:11 adrift of Voeckler, Jan Ullrich is 10:30 back, Bobby Julich is at 10:35 with Roberto Heras, 11:20 behind.
Today's 237-kilometre 10th stage takes the peloton from Limoges to Saint-Flour.
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