South African's win is a first for his country

MONTPELLIER, France - Robert Hunter of South Africa won yesterday's 11th stage of the Tour de France, while Michael Rasmussen of Denmark retained the overall leader's yellow jersey.

Hunter sprinted at the end of the 113.4-mile route from Marseille to Montpellier in sunny yet windy conditions to record the first-ever stage victory by a South African.

"I'm really happy. I have no words to describe what I'm feeling right now," Hunter said. "I've done the Tour de France six times, and I'm the first South African ever to ride in it.

"I'm hoping it will boost the sport in South Africa to get more young riders up to the professional level in Europe."

Hunter won in 3 hours, 47 minutes, 50 seconds, outpacing second-place Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland and Murilo Fischer of Brazil in third. The main pack of riders finished in the same time.