FREIRE OUTFOXES RIVALS TO WIN STAGE FIVE

Oscar Freire wins stg 5 2006

Spain's Oscar Freire (Rabobank) won Thursday's fifth stage from Beauvais to Caen, taking an alternative route down the right, while the other sprinters went up the left.

Freire surprised the other sprinters, got a gap and used his power to stay clear to the line. Boonen went across the road to try and match Freire but could only follow him across the line for second place. Inaki Isasi (Euskaltel) was third, with Robbie McEwen (Davitamon) only fifth after getting stuck behind Boonen.

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