Novice gives Italy reason to smile

Racing in his first Tour de France, Matteo Trentin appeared to surprise even himself by winning Saturday's 14th stage in a sprint for the line in Lyon.

Trentin timed his burst brilliantly to finish in front of Switzerland's Michael Albasini by half a wheel after France's Julien Simon failed to convert a solo attack with 15 km to go into a first French win in the 100th Tour.

The 23-year-old Trentin becomes the first rider from Italy - traditionally a cycling powerhouse - to win a stage on the Tour since Alessandro Petacchi claimed two stages in the first week of the 2010 Tour on his way to winning the green jersey.