McEwen seals overall victory in Tournai

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Robbie McEwen (RadioShack) proved he is still one of the fastest sprinters in the sport by taking his second win and the overall classification at the Circuit Franco Belge on Sunday.

McEwen timed his acceleration just right in the centre of Tournai, coming off CJ Sutton’s wheel and then holding his speed all the way to the line. Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli) tried to match him for speed but the little Italian ran out of power and had to accept second place. Sébastien Chavanel (Team Europcar) finished third and Sutton was fourth.

Race leader Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) finished sixth, outside of the time bonuses, losing the leader’s yellow jersey to McEwen. Taylor Phinney (BMC) had a go in the sprint despite some continuing stomach problems and finished eighth.

Veelers finished second overall at five seconds, with Sutton third, at the same time.

In the bunch kick into Tournai after 175km, Sutton (Team Sky) started the sprint but McEwen came past him at the right moment to win.

“This was not expected today,” said McEwen. “This was a hard stage with seven climbs of the Col de la Croix de Jubaru. Despite the heat I felt good today and actually felt better and better as the stage went on. I knew that I could take the overall victory by winning the stage and when Veelers or Sutton were not in the top three, and that’s what happened. To be honest, this was an easy sprint for me. I choose the right wheel, that of Sutton and could easily pass him. This proves I’m still there in cycling.”

Sutton accepted his defeat to his fellow Australian. “It was pretty close,” he said. “All the team were incredible. They were going so strong and perfect but we just ran out of the men after Kjell Carlström went home because his wife had a baby.

"The whole team rode awesome today but it just wasn’t meant to be. Robbie was on my wheel and so won. The better bike rider won. He’s classy and deserved to win it and he’s an Aussie too you can’t complain about that.”

McEwen’s next big goal is next Sunday’s Paris-Tours. He has never won the so-called ‘sprinter’s classic’ but is looking to take this year before he moves to GreenEdge for 2012. However he will face even more sprinters looking for end of season success and new world champion Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad).

“The season is not over yet. I hope I can show the same fast legs in Paris-Tours. That would be nice. I’ve never won that race,” McEwen said.

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