Cycling: Thor Hushovd ended his victory drought by clinching the fourth stage of the Tour de France thanks to superb team work.
The Credit Agricole rider, who won the green jersey in 2005, was led by Australian team mate Julian Dean and then edged South African Robert Hunter to the line for his first win of the year.
"The pace was very, very high. I trusted Julian Dean, I stayed just behind him," Hushovd said.
"I fought to stay with him and when he launched the sprint 450 metres from the line, I knew I could win.
"It was a team job for this sprint with Sebastien Hinault and William Bonnet the first to pull me," he added.
Hushovd, who now has five Tour stage wins to his name, finally has something to cheer about following a difficult start to his season.
"I'm relieved to win a stage," he said. "I was prepared for the classic races but I got ill just before Milan-San Remo and then I have suffered a lot.
"Then I rode the Giro where I finished second twice, which was not too bad."
Hushovd received a confidence boost after finishing second in Sunday's sprint in Canterbury but was involved in Monday's crash in Ghent.
"I was really mad because I had lost 30 points to (Robbie) McEwen," he said. "But I am not pessimistic so I knew I would have some luck at some point."
Hushovd is fifth in the sprinters' standings with 79 points, 19 behind leader Tom Boonen.
The Belgian, a former world champion, finished a disappointing eighth on Wednesday and has yet to win a stage this year.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara, who finished safe in the main pack, retained the leader's yellow jersey.