PARIS, July 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Tom Boonen of Belgium won Sunday's second stage of the Tour de France, while six-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong finished safely in the main pack.

    Boonen won the 181.5-kilometer (112.5-mile) trek from Challans to Les Essarts ahead of Norway's Thor Hushovd in just under four hours.

    Armstrong had struck an early blow to his rivals Saturday when he finished second in the time trial.

    Boonen won the stage in 3 hours, 51 minutes, 31 seconds, while Hushovd finished in the same time. Australian cyclists Robbie McEwenand Stuart O'Grady finished in third and fourth place respectively, also with the same time.

    David Zabriskie retained the yellow jersey as the overall race leader, with Armstrong in second place. The Texan finished the stage in 63rd place, five seconds behind Boonen.

    "My legs were terrible," Armstrong joked. "Actually, I feel pretty good. I figure the faster I pedal, the faster I can retire." Enditem