Boonen sprints to victory in second stage

Belgian Tom Boonen won a mass sprint to claim the 181.5kms second stage of the Tour de France from Challans yesterday. The winner of the Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders classics, Belgium's latest cycling hero confirmed he would be a strong bet for...

Belgian Tom Boonen won a mass sprint to claim the 181.5kms second stage of the Tour de France from Challans yesterday.

The winner of the Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders classics, Belgium's latest cycling hero confirmed he would be a strong bet for the green jersey awarded to the points classification winner.

Fellow sprint specialists Thor Hushovd of Norway and Robbie McEwen of Australia finished second and third respectively at the end of the day's relatively undemanding ride.

American David Zabriskie, who won Saturday's opening individual time trial, retained the overall leader's yellow jersey.

Six times champion Lance Armstrong finished in the peloton. The race ends on July 24 in Paris.

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