McEwen claims tightest of Tour stages

Robbie McEwen claimed the ninth stage of the Tour de France by a whisker in the closest finish of this year’s Tour so far.

The Australian, riding for Lotto-Domo, won his second stage of the 2004 edition 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.

Credit Agricole rider Hushovd was classified second, with O’Grady, of Cofidis, in third.

The trio were part of the peloton that caught breakaway riders Filippo Simeoni and Inigo Landaluze 200 metres from home.

Ireland's Mark Scanlon finished 50th on the stage and moves up three places to 52nd.

Frenchman Thomas Voeckler was classified 29th and keeps the overall leader’s yellow jersey.

Five-time winner Lance Armstrong, looking for a record sixth Tour triumph, 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, another ex-US Postal man, 11:20 behind.

Wednesday’s 237-kilometre 10th stage takes the peloton from Limoges to Saint-Flour.