Cycling: 'I could have won' - Dean

Julian Dean. Photo / APN

New Zealand cyclist Julian Dean's first visit to the Tour de France stage podium was tempered by the regret that he could have won if he was 100 per cent fit.

Two days after leaving hospital following a nasty crash on stage two, Dean bounced back for a career-best second placing behind another veteran sprinter Alessandro Petacchi on the 154km ride from Cambrai to Reims.

Dean suffered heavy bruising to his back in the crash. "I was a bit surprised, you never start out after being in the hospital two days ago thinking you're going to do that. I'm over the moon to achieve this but wish I was 100 per cent for the sprint.

"I feel like maybe I could have won," Dean said. "But, that said, I'm really proud of what the team's achieved - fourth yesterday and second and fifth today. Despite the loss of Christian [Vande Velde] and Tyler [Farrar] being on the back foot, we have a competitive team and we're here to race."

Dean, 35, was given full rein to attack the final sprint by his Garmin-Transitions team after leading contender Vande Velde was forced out with broken ribs after Wednesday's crash, while Farrar remained on the tour but was struggling with a fractured wrist.

"I didn't feel super, I've been around a long time and I know how to follow wheels and get in position in the sprints," Dean said. "I didn't quite have it to overcome Petacchi at the finish."

It was the best placing for Dean who is competing in his sixth Tour de France and is the only New Zealander in the field.

But he remained well down the field on general classification in 146th spot, 17 minutes and 32 seconds off the pace.

Petacchi followed his victory in the first stage when the "old men" of sprinting swamped favourite Mark Cavendish in the sprint for honours.

Dean worked himself into a strong position as the train, led by Petacchi, overran Cavendish who was left on his own on the other side of the road.

Dean pushed out to finish second with Garmin teammate Robbie Hunter fifth on a day when their No 1 sprinter, Farrar, had not recovered sufficiently to figure in the battle.

Lampre rider Petacchi has not competed on the race since 2004, a year after claiming a hat-trick of sprint victories. Petacchi, 36, has been accused of being over the hill, but he was quick to hit back.

"I'm not like a little old man, as some have said. This win is really important for me and for the team," he said. He played down claims he only won the opening stage because a crash took out many rivals.

Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) retained the yellow jersey with today's fifth stage of 188km from Epurnay to Montargis, also likely to favour a sprint finish.

- NZPA