CAEN, France - Spaniard Oscar Freire deprived Tom Boonen of his first win in this year's Tour de France when he outsprinted the world champion to clinch the fifth stage today.
The Rabobank rider surged down the right of the finishing straight to surprise Boonen who retained his overall leader's
yellow jersey.
The Credit Agricole rider enjoys a 13-second lead over Australian Michael Rogers of the T-Mobile team.
Spain's Inaki Isasi (Euskaltel) finished third on the 225-km stage from Beauvais to Caen.
Australian Robbie McEwen failed to find his rhythm in the mass sprint, finishing fifth to keep his green sprinters' jersey.
Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin (AG2R) and Bjoern Schroeder of Germany (Milram) took off from the peloton after some 20 kms.
"The Tour de France happens only once a year so I wanted to make the most of it," said Dumoulin.
They opened a 12-minute gap after the main pack was forced to lower the pace when it went through the first rain showers of the race in Normandy's bocage.
The Credit Agricole, Davitamon-Lotto and Quick Step teams started their pursuit 30 kms from the finish and caught the two fugitives with less than five kms to go.
Friday's sixth stage will take the peloton over 189 kms from Lisieux to Vitre as the Tour enters Brittany.
- REUTERS
