McEwen not feeling good

Knee problems worrying Australian

By Shane Stokes in Gent

Sunday may rank as one of the best sprint victories of Robbie McEwen's career, but things didn't really go to plan for the Australian sprinter on Monday. He started the day in the green jersey of points victor and hoped to fortify his lead, but instead he lost the maillot vert to Belgian rival Tom Boonen.

Boonen was second, crossing the line just behind his Quickstep Innergetic team-mate Gert Steegmans. He had been third on stage one and his combined total carried him one point clear of McEwen, who finished sixth into Gent.

After the stage, the Predictor-Lotto spoke briefly to some members of the media. He appeared pale and drawn, and told them about the big pileup just before the sprint and also the injuries he is carrying.

"The bunch was flying along. Everyone was trying to be up there. At a moment when it should have been safe there was a huge crash. I was just able to avoid it. I caught a bike on my arm," he stated, indicating a some cuts on the inside of his elbow. "But somehow I got through on the left. I was a long, long way back and couldn't move up anymore.

"The crash yesterday had a part to play. The wrist is okay, it is just a bit sore when it is bumpy. But the main thing is my right knee is very sore and swollen and because I am not sitting straight on the bike, it is putting a lot of pressure on my left knee as well.

"I didn't feel real good, but I tried anyway. I am still in the race, so I will keep trying. Hopefully the injuries will be improving day to day now, because I felt terrible."