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It ain't easy ... McEwen becomes first Aussie to win green jerseyPosted: Sunday July 28, 2002 1:12 PMPARIS (Reuters) -- Robbie McEwen became the first Australian to win the Tour de France green points jersey on Sunday when he took the final stage on the Champs Elysees in Paris. The 30 year-old rider from Brisbane won the green jersey with 280 points, 19 more than six-time winner Erik Zabel of Germany. Fellow Australians Stuart O'Grady and Baden Cooke finished third and fourth with 208 and 198 points respectively. The only other Australian to climb on to the Tour de France winner's podium was Phil Anderson, who won the white jersey awarded to the best young rider, in 1982. McEwen beat Cooke and Damien Nazon of France in a close sprint for the stage win. Zabel finished seventh after making a mistake in the final corner before the sprint for the line. "It's an extraordinary day. I'm very happy," McEwen said. "This win is for all of my Lotto team. The masseurs, the mechanics, the team directors and all the riders." "It's magnifique. I've won two stages and the green jersey. It's superb." While Lance Armstrong had dominated the overall standings for his fourth consecutive Tour de France, the points competition was only decided on the final stage in Paris. Before the start of the 144-kilometre stage, McEwen led Zabel by just one point. The Australian won the first intermediate sprint after 54 kilometres to extend his lead to three points but only held on to the green jersey by finishing ahead of Zabel in the final sprint to the line.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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