Third time proves lucky for McEwen

After finishing third and second on the first two days of the Tour de France, Australian Robbie McEwen got it right by winning the third stage to Reims.

The 30-year-old from Brisbane held off German sprint specialist Erik Zabel and fellow Australian Baden Cooke to claim the second stage victory of his seven-year professional career.

"It was fantastic, unreal," McEwen shouted after crossing the finishing line.

"I was third into the last corner with 500 metres to go. I waited and waited and then took my chance."

McEwen has won 13 races this year, including two stages at the Giro d'Italia and now a stage at the Tour de France.

For a day at least, he is claiming the title of the best sprinter in the world.

Zabel wears the race leader's yellow jersey going into today's stage, which is a team time trial covering 67.5 kilometres across the champagne region of eastern France from Epernay to Chateau-Thierry. It should suit Scotland's time trial specialist David Millar, who is eighth overall.