Freire denies Zabel home win

OSCAR FREIRE surprised himself and the Saarbrucken crowd gathered to cheer an Erik Zabel win by denying the German rider a victory on home soil yesterday.

Zabel had been tipped as favourite to win yesterday's stage and looked in a strong position as he was led out by his Telekom team-mates into the final 200m.

He appeared to be struggling however as Robbie McEwen, who is intent on taking Zabel's points title, surged ahead.