Despite a minor accident, Australian Robbie McEwen won the first stage of the Tour de France on Sunday. He was timed at 4 hours, 39 minutes, and 1 second.

With 12 miles to go, McEwen was forced to brake because of riders ahead. He was hit from behind by a cyclist and sent sprawling to the road.

Pressing on despite a sore right wrist and cuts on his right knee, McEwen was escorted by his Predictor Lotto teammates through the final yards.

"This is definitely one of the best ever," McEwen said. "After the crash, I hurt myself - hurt my wrist - but the boys brought me back. I still can't believe I won this stage."

"The first thing I thought was that I had broken my wrist," he added. "I couldn't feel anything."

Then the pangs began.

"It's worth that pain to have a stage win in the Tour de France," he said.

The perseverance recalled Armstrong's effort in the Pyrenees in 2003. He tumbled to the ground when his Handlebars caught a fan's bag, got back up and rode like a man possessed to win the stage. It was a turning point for the fifth of Armstrong's record seven consecutive Tour victories.

This was the 12th stage victory on the Tour for McEwen, who was followed by Thor Hushovd of Norway in second place and Tom Boonen of Belgium in third.

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