LONDON, July 8 (UPI) -- Australia's Robbie McEwen Sunday won the first stage of the 2007 Tour de France despite taking a spill.
He recovered after falling about 13 miles before the finish line and used a late sprint to beat Norway's Thor Hushovd and Tom Boonen of Belgium. He avoided a serious injury.
"That was one of my best ever," the 35-year-old McEwen told the BBC. "I can't believe I've won. The moment I crashed I thought 'that's that,' and my Tour could have been over."
The cyclists navigated 125.86 miles in London, and ended at the famous cathedral of Canterbury.
Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara, who secured the yellow jersey by winning Saturday's prologue, remained the overall leader.
Andreas Kloden of Germany is second, with the day's top climber, David Millar of England third, and George Hincapie of the United States fourth overall.
Stage 2, a 104.4-mile trek into Belgium, is Monday.
