FRIBOURG (Switzerland), May 2: Australian sprint ace Robbie McEwen put a disappointing beginning of the year behind him with his first victory of the season in the 172.1-k second stage of the Tour de Romandie on Thursday.

McEwen’s 104th career win was quite similar to the previous ones. The 35-year-old rider from Brisbane waited for the final stretch to surge away and bemuse his rivals.

Italy’s Daniele Bennati, who should be one of his leading opponents in the sprints of the Giro d’Italia later this month, was second ahead of Dane Matti Breschel.

Swiss Michael Albasini retained his one-second overall lead over Kazakh Maxim Iglinsky.

It was Labour Day, but McEwen’s Silence-Lotto team mates worked very hard to chase behind three riders who had broken clear almost on the gun, France’s Remy Di Gregorio, American Ian McKissick and Spain’s Jose Luis Arrieta.

In the finale, Di Gregorio was left alone up front but he was caught with eight kilometres to go after spending 160 kms in the lead and there was no denying McEwen his inaugural victory of 2008.

Thursday’s 18.8-km individual time trial around Sion should sort the men from the boys and force the favourites to show their real strength.

Last year’s winner Thomas Dekker is full of ambition after an impressive showing in the first big climb of the race on Wednesday’s first stage.

“I have no pressure but I don’t want to let my team mates down. I’m the favourite but I must beware of (Germany’s) Andreas Kloeden. He’s my leading rival,” the Dutchman said.—Reuters