PUTTE, Belgium (AFP) - Australian Robbie McEwen, riding for the Predictor team, won Saturday's third stage of the Tour of Benelux in a sprint finish ahead of Italian Francesco Chicchi and Thor Hushovd of Norway.

Britain's Mark Cavendish, winner of the second stage on Friday, took fourth with Belgian Nick Nuyens, of the Cofidis team, finishing in the main peloton to keep the leader's red jersey.

Despite his stage victory, McEwen expressed anger at his team's decision not to enter him in the Tour of Spain.

"I was not ready to race this Tour of Benelux," he protested. "I would have preferred to do the Vuelta (whichs tarts September 1). I'm angry but I'm a professional and I always race to win.

"But anyway, the Tour of Benelux is a great course as well and out of respect for my team-mates, I had to work to win today."

Five riders broke away midway through the stage, but they were tracked down with 4km to go, and McEwen, well helped by team-mates Fred Rodrigez and Greg Van Avermaet, came through as the fastest finisher.

On Sunday, the Tour travels to the Netherlands after its four-day stint in Belgium, with a 182km completely flat run from Maldegem to Terneuzen.