Australian cyclist Robbie McEwen has won the ninth stage of the Tour de France, but Frenchman Thomas Voeckler remains the overall leader as the race heads into the mountains.
McEwen finished the 160.5-kilometer ride between St. Leonard de Noblat and Guéret in 3:32:55, just ahead of Norway’s Thor Hushovd. Stuart O’Grady of Australia was third in the sprint finish.
Thomas Voeckler of France retained the overall lead, 2:53 ahead of O’Grady. Sandy Casar of France is third overall. Five-time champion Lance Armstrong of the United States is sixth overall (9:35 off the lead). Armstrong is trying to win the Tour for a record sixth time.