ROUEN, France, July 11: Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu won his third Tour de France stage on Thursday to turn a round a disappointing season.

Kirsipuu, who was knocked down by a car in March, won the 195-kilometre fifth stage from Soissons to Rouen, outsprinting the other four riders that had been part of a breakaway group.

Dane Michael Sandstod was second and Belgian Ludo Dierckxsens third. The other two riders, Italian Stefano Casagranda and France’s Christophe Edaleine were fourth and fifth respectively.

“They all attacked me during the finish and I was very tired,” the 32-year-old AG2r team leader said.

“It’s not the sprinter in me who won. It was the victory of courage,” he said.

Sandstod and former Belgian champion Diexckxsens both tried to surge in turn in the last five kilometres, knowing they stood no chance against Kirsipuu in the sprint.

“It’s a fine revenge over a bad season and it will now leave my team mates free from any pressure,” added Kirsipuu, whose AG2r team had received a wildcard from the organisers and had to justify their presence in the race.

The Estonian has raced very little this season because of his accident. As a result, he has had few opportunities to add to his tally of victories.

Thursday’s win was the 96th victory of his career and makes him the fourth most successful active rider.

Kirsipuu has had two previous Tour stage wins — in 1999, when he held the yellow jersey for six days, and in 2001.

Spaniard Igor Gonzalez Galdeano retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey he took on Wednesday after his ONCE team won the team time trial in Chateau-Thierry.—Reuters