Hushovd hoping to sprint to yellow

Having been surprised by veteran Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu on the opening stage of the Tour de France, sprint aces will be out for revenge today.

While five-times champion Lance Armstrong bides his time in third place, Norway's Thor Hushovd, second behind Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, has a double ambition in the 197km second stage from Charleroi to Namur.

Hushovd will have three intermediate sprints along the road to try to trim Cancellara's four seconds advantage while the finish will also award some precious time bonuses to the top three. "It would be a dream come true to get the yellow jersey," he said.

Winner of four Tour stages last year and a post-war record nine in this year's Giro d'Italia, Alessandro Petacchi is widely expected to dominate the sprints despite finishing a disappointing eighth yesterday.

But Kirsipuu said: "I'm sure Petacchi will win many sprints on the Tour. Maybe he was unlucky and it was my lucky day."

As for young Belgian Tom Boonen, seen as the rider most likely to challenge Petacchi in sprint finishes, today's stage will be his last chance to win on home ground before the Tour enters France tomorrow.