MADRID, March 3, 2010 (AFP) – South Africa’s Robert Hunter won the first stage of the Tour of Murcia in southeastern Spain on Wednesday, a race in which America’s seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong finished with the same time in a mass sprint finish.

Hunter, who rides for the Garmin team, beat Australia’s Graeme Brown and Spain’s Vicente Reynes to take the 166.5-kilometre stage, which began and ended in San Pedro del Pinatar.

Armstrong finished in the leading pack in 46th place.

“Small peloton though so much more relaxed. Congrats to Robbie Hunter on the win,” Armstrong said on his Twitter site.

The toughest test for the American, whose main aim this year is to win an eighth Tour de France title in July, will be Saturday’s 13.7-kilometer time trial.

Last year’s Tour of Murcia winner Dennis Menchov of Russia finished 33rd on Wednesday.

Stage and overall standings:
1. Robert Hunter (RSA/Garmin) 4hr 15min 40sec,
2. Graeme Brown (AUS/Rabobank) same time,
3. Vicente Reyes (ESP/Columbia) s.t.,
4. Roger Kluge (GER/Milram) s.t.,
5. Daryl Impey (RSA/RadioShack) s.t.
Selected:
33. Denis Menchov (RUS/Rabobank) s.t., 46. Lance Armstrong (USA/RadioShack) s.t.

File Photo by: CorVos Pro