McEwen makes late charge

McEwen quits the Giro after two stage wins

Wednesday's stage results

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Australian champion Robbie McEwen came from behind in the closing metres to take his second stage victory in the Giro d'Italia at Benevento.

McEwen's success in the 10th stage came just a day after his second-place finish to Mario Cipollini in Caserta.

It was McEwen's last stage in this year's Giro.

As a sprinter, the 29-year-old from Brisbane would have little hope of further success in the coming stages which include several uphill legs.

"I'm very happy to leave with two wins," he said.

"I've had a lot of racing this season. I want to stop now and be in form for the Tour of France," he added.

Edged out

Jens Heppner, of Team Telekom, retains the overall leader's pink jersey after finishing in the pack in the same time as the winner.

McEwen edged out Italian duo Fabrizio Guidi and Giovanni Lombardi over the 118-kilometre (73-mile) hilly course from Maddaloni to Benevento, in southern Italy.

Before the start of the stage, defending Giro champion Gilberto Somini learned that he had tested positive for cocaine on the eve of Giro del Trentino.

The 30-year-old captain of the Saeco team stayed in the race pending second tests.

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Wednesday's results:

Tenth stage (Maddaloni to Benevento, 118km):

1. Robbie McEwen (Aus), Lotto-Adecco, 2hrs, 57mins, 24secs
2. Fabrizio Guidi (Ita) Team Coast, same time
3. Giovanni Lombardi (Ita), Acqua e Sapone, same
4. Mykhaylo Khalilov (Ukr) Selle Italia, same
5. Massimo Strazzer, Italy, Phonak, same 6. Cristian Moreni (Ita), Alessio, same
7. Mariano Piccoli (Ita), Lampre, same
8. Uros Murn (Slo) Formaggi Trentini, same time
9. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, same
10. Davide Rebellin (Italy) Gerolsteiner, same

Overall Standings:

1. Jens Heppner, Germany, 48hrs, 49mins, 48secs
2. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) 3:50 behind
3. Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) 3:57
4. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) 4:08
5. Angel Vicioso Arcos (Spa) 4:09
6. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) 4:27
7. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) 4:29
8. Wladimir Belli (Ita) 4:39
9. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) 4:41
10. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Spa) 4:43

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