Oscar Gatto (Tinkoff) took the win on stage three of the Ruta del Sol, but Ben Swift's second podium finish in as many days was enough to see the Team Sky man move into the overall lead.
Gatto took the win quite easily, outsprinting Swift and Raymond Kreder (Roompot-Oranje Peloton) in Padul in a race where the breakaway almost took the win.
Breakaway rider Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) was caught by the winner of the 2015 Vuelta a España mountains classification, Omar Fraille (Dimension Data) in the final 15km
Together the pair made it to the final two kilometres before being swallowed up by the bunch, which had been reduced to around 50 thanks to the climbs that littered the third stage.
As the group took the final corner, Team Sky came out near the front with Vasil Kiryienka working for Swift, but Gatto and Tinkoff had the beating of everyone, with the Italian cruising to his first victory since joining the Russian team at the start of the season.
Oscar Gatto wins stage 3 of the 2016 Ruta del Sol
(Image credit: Watson)
Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista del Sol stage three, Monachil - Padul (157.9km)
1. Oscar Gatto (Ita) Tinkoffm 3-53-17
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2. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky, st
3. Raymond Kreder (Ned) Roompot-Oranje Peloton, st
4. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto-Soudal, st
5. Fabio Felline (Ita) Trek-Segafredo, st
6. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC, st
7. Simon Geschke (Ger) Giant-Alpecin, st
8. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC, st
9. Reto Hollenstein (Swi) IAM Cycling, st
10. Mateo Busato (Ita) Southeast-Venezuala, st
Overall standings after stage three
1. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky
2. Raymond Kreder (Ned) Roompot-Oranje Peloton
3. Reto Hollenstein (Swi) IAM Cycling
4. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC
5. Fabio Felline (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
