More crashes today as Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen won the stage: McEwen Wins Tour De France’s Second Stage. Armstrong stayed safe near the front.

NAMUR, Belgium - Shot like a rocket from the stampeding pack, Robbie McEwen of Australia sprinted to victory Monday in a crash-filled second stage of the Tour de France.

Lance Armstrong, playing it safe, kept his drive for a record sixth Tour victory on track by placing comfortably down in the field — along with rivals who want to dethrone him.

As the pack of riders bore down on the finish like a steam train, McEwen soared to the front with an explosive burst of speed and raised his arms in victory as he crossed the line. Such mass sprints are always hazardous and this one took out two riders who crashed in the last few hundred meters (yards).