Boonen sprints to Tour victory

TOM BOONEN defied a raging toothache to win yesterday’s second stage of the Tour de France.

The 24-year-old Belgian, riding for the Quickstep team, timed his sprint perfectly to overhaul Robbie McEwen in the closing metres and take stage honours after a 181.5km run from Challans to Les Essarts in the La Vendee region of France.

McEwen, one of five Australians to finish in the top 10, had to settle for third with Norway’s Thor Hushovd also passing him to come home second on the day.