Robbie McEwen (Photo: capture-the-peloton.com)

CIVITAVECCHIA, Mar 14 (CP) - Predictor-Lotto sprinter Robbie McEwen has won the first stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico, beating Oscar Freire Gomez and Thor Hushovd in the final bunch sprint.

The Italian ProTour race started with a 160 kilometres long stage in and around the city of Civitavecchia. On their way to the finish, the riders had to face one official climb, with two others to follow.

However, the last climb was situated at 27 kilometres from the finish, which would not be of any influence for the sprinters.

During the day, the traditional breakaway was formed; four riders showed themselves: Euskaltel rider Benat Albizuri Aransolo, Tinkoff Credit System's Salvatore Commesso, Giuseppe Muraglia of Acqua & Sapone and Matteo Priamo of Ceramiche Panaria.

Meanwhile, a crash occured in the peloton with Alexandre Efimkin and Nicolas Roche as heaviest victims. Both riders were brought to a nearby hospital, where a broken collar bone was observed at Roche.

Eventually, the chasing peloton, led by the sprinter's teams, caught the escapees and the predicted mass sprint was prepared. McEwen turned out to be the strongest and took the victory, ahead of Rabobank rider Freire and Credit Agricole's Hushovd.

Logically, the Australian is the first leader in the general classification as well.

Stage results:

1. Robbie McEwen (Aus-PRL) 4h34'24"
2. Oscar Freire (Esp-RAB) s.t.
3. Thor Hushovd (Nor-C.A) s.t.
4. Stuart O'Grady (Aus-CSC) s.t.
5. Bernhard Eisel (Aut-TMO) s.t.
6. Erik Zabel (Ger-MRM) s.t.
7. Allan Davis (Aus-DSC) s.t.
8. Gabriele Balducci (Ita-ASA) s.t.
9. David Kopp (Ger-GST) s.t.
10. Loyd Mondory (Fra-A2R) s.t.

General classification:

1. Robbie McEwen (Aus-PRL) 4h34'14"
2. Oscar Freire (Esp-RAB) 0'04"
3. Thor Hushovd (Nor-C.A) 0'06"
4. Beñat Albizuri (Esp-EUS) 0'07"
5. Matteo Priamo (Ita-PAN) 0'08"
6. Stuart O'Grady (Aus-CSC) 0'10"
7. Bernhard Eisel (Aut-TMO) s.t.
8. Erik Zabel (Ger-MRM) s.t.
9. Allan Davis (Aus-DSC) s.t.
10. Gabriele Balducci (Ita-ASA) s.t.

Points classification:

1. Robbie McEwen (Aus-PRL) 12pts
2. Oscar Freire (Esp-RAB) 10
3. Thor Hushovd (Nor-C.A) 8
4. Stuart O'Grady (Aus-CSC) 7
5. Bernhard Eisel (Aut-TMO) 6

Mountains classification:

1. Salvatore Commesso (Ita-TCS) 5pts
2. Beñat Albizuri (Esp-EUS) 3
3. Giuseppe Muraglia (Ita-ASA) 2
4. Matteo Priamo (Ita-PAN) 1

Teams classification:

1. Team CSC (Den) 13h43'12"
2. AG2r Prévoyance (Fra) s.t.
3. Gerolsteiner (Ger) s.t.
4. Bouygues Telecom (Fra) s.t.
5. Team Milram (Ita) s.t.

© Jeroen Michiels