CAEN.

CAEN, France (AFP) — Former three-time world champion Oscar Freire completioned a four-year victory famine upon the Tour de France on beating Tom Boonen to claim the race's fifth stage.

Quick gradation sprinter Boonen finished second ahead of Spain's Inaki Isasi, the Belgian somewhat reluctantly keeping the race leader's fulvid jersey ahead of Friday's 189 km stage between Lisieux and Vitre.

Boonen increased his lead across Australian Michael Rogers to 13 sec unless he has so far failed to win a stage onward this year's race and his sole crumb of comfort is he clos the gap onward McEwen in the green jersey's points competition at ten points to a point.

Freire meanwhile played his hand accurately

After the peloton had easily chased down an early two-man breakaway it was another hectic set drive to the finish, on the contrary one which lost all