Australian Robbie McEwen boosted his chances of holding on to the green jersey after a dramatic sprint finish which handed him a deserved victory on the ninth stage of the Tour de France.

It was the second stage win in this year's race for the 32-year-old from Brisbane, who rides for Lotto, after his victory in the second stage at Namur, Belgium, a week ago.

McEwen clocked 3hr:32min.55sec, coming over the finish line of the 160.5km stage from St-Leonard-de-Noblat to Gueret a whisker in front of Norwegian rider Thor Hushovd of Credit Agricole, with Australian Stuart O'Grady of Cofidis finishing third.

"It's a massive victory for me, especially after my crash (several days ago)," beamed McEwen, who by winning the stage further boosted his green jersey points tally ahead of three days of climbing.

"I've been hurting all over ever since. I gave it everything I could at the sprint, but it was a difficult one with the bend near the end.

"I think we caught the two escapees with just 60 metres to go."

Frenchman Thomas Voeckler of the La Boulangere team retained the race leader's yellow jersey after the stage, the shortest of this year's race which featured a long breakaway that was caught only 50 metres from the finish line.

Voeckler, 24, is 2min:53secs ahead of O'Grady overall and 9:35 ahead of five-time winner Lance Armstrong, of the US Postal team, who is sixth overall.

Armstrong's main rival Jan Ullrich of T-Mobile is 55 seconds behind the American and 10:30 adrift of Voeckler in 20th place overall.

American Tyler Hamilton, who is also a contender for the race's yellow jersey, is 10:11 behind the leader.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP