Freire outsprints McEwen to win Tour stage

Spaniard Oscar Freire sprinted to his second victory in this year's Tour de France when he won the ninth stage over 169.5 km from Bordeaux to Dax yesterday.

Three-times world champion Freire beat green jersey holder Robbie McEwen (Davitamon Lotto) by centimetres with German Erik Zabel (Milram) finishing third.

Ukraine's Serhiy Honchar of the T-Mobile team retained the overall leader's yellow jersey as he finished safely in the bunch.

Rabobank rider Freire, who won the fifth stage in Caen, emerged as McEwen's main rival in the points classification for the best sprinter.

McEwen leads the standings with 211 points. Belgian world champion Tom Boonen is second on 188 with Freire third 30 points adrift of the Australian.

Today, the Tour will enter the Pyrenees when the 10th stage will lead the peloton over 190.5km from Cambo-les-Bains to Pau.

The Col du Soudet and the Col de Marie-Blanque will give the favourites an opportunity to show their strength.