BENEVENT, (Italy), May 22: Australia’s Robbie McEwen won the 10th stage in the Tour of Italy here Wednesday while German veteran Jens Heppner retained the overall leader’s pink jersey.

McEwen, who also won the Strasbourg stage, was due to quit the Tour before Thursday’s stage in the mountains and concentrate on his preperations for the Tour de France.

The Australian champion, 29, burst for home just 150 metres from the line and easily beat Italian duo Fabrizio Guidi and Giovanni Lombardi after the 118km run.

The Tour was plunged into further controversy on Wednesday when it was revealed last year’s winner Gilberto Simoni had tested positive for cocaine.

Simoni, 30, claimed the result was due to dental treatment he received on the day of the test. He has been allowed to continue in the Tour as the world governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI), said the test did not affect his performances in the race.—AFP