McEwan wins first stage

Record-levelling Aussie Robbie McEwan wins the first stage of the Tour de France following a sizzling sprint finish in Canterbury.

McEwan won the Tour de France’s first stage and in doing so, equalled the highest number of stage victories for sprinter’s still competing. In winning his 12th stage the Australian matches German sprinter Erik Zabel’s previous record – while assuming control of the green jersey as the race moves to its second stage.

McEwan caught his competitors off guard just 150 metres from the finish line after an enthralling closing three miles. Leading a sprint finish towards the end of the 126-mile stage, McEwan saw off Belgium’s Tom Boonen and Thor Hushovd of Norway to finish first, despite becoming embroiled in a crash earlier in the race. The Aussie came off his bike and feared the worst for his wrist before continuing working his way through the pelaton to victory.

England’s greatest hope Mark Cavendish was also involved in a crash. The 22 year old from the Isle of Man had to swap bikes after he fell off his bike on the approach to Canterbury and fell out of contention.

David Millar moved up to third in the rankings after he made a bid to win the first stage shortly after having left London. Millar made a breakaway bid, much to the delight of the English fans lining the course, but he was joined by four riders and ran out of steam 50km from the end. Millar sill managed to pick up the red polka-dot jersey for best climber after picking up a series of bonus points.

Spain’s Eduardo Gonzalo Ramirez became the Tour's first retirement after smashing the windscreen of a Caisse d'Epargne car. McEwan in action