British time trial champion Alex Dowsett (Movistar) took time trial victory on stage three of the Circuit de la Sarthe to move into the overall lead of the French stage race.
Dowsett has form in the race having won the equivalent stage in 2014, and justified his billing as one of the favourites going into the short 6.8km test, setting a time of 7-49 with an average speed of more than 52kph on the generally flat course.
That time was good enough to take the win by eight seconds ahead of Movistar team-mate Jonathan Castroviejo, with French road race champion Arthur Vichot (FDJ) in third.
>>> Alex Dowsett: 'I should be able to help Nairo Quintana in the Giro and the Tour
With two stages remaining, Dowsett now leads the general classification by two seconds over Vichot (who also finished second on the opening stage).
Thursday's stage four offers the toughest test with six laps of a hilly finishing circuit around Pré-en Pail St Samson Mont, before a sprint stage on the final day.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Extinction Rebellion stages anti-Shell protest at British Track Champs
Two people carried a banner through the stands at Newport's Geraint Thomas National Velodrome
-
60% of motorists unaware of Highway Code changes, one year after introduction
Charity Cycling UK has called on the government to raise awareness of the updates
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
-
Facing retirement, Alex Dowsett is keeping his options well and truly open
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says reaction to his retirement has been 'exciting'
-
Alex Dowsett to retire from professional cycling
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says his future is still going to be on two wheels, just not in WorldTour
-
'The biggest failure would have been to have never tried': Alex Dowsett reacts to emotional Hour Record attempt
The Brit's Just Giving page has raised over £30,000 for the charity The Haemophilia Society
-
Alex Dowsett falls short of Hour Record in Mexico
Briton misses out on record at the Aguascalientes Velodrome in Mexico
-
Watch: Alex Dowsett Hour Record attempt live stream
Dowsett begins his Hour Record attempt at 10pm GMT
-
How to watch Alex Dowsett's Hour Record attempt: Live stream the event from Mexico
Here's how you can watch Dowsett's livestreamed hour record attempt
-
Alex Dowsett will attempt Hour Record in Mexico, UCI confirms
The British TT star was forced to abandon an attempt last year after catching coronavirus, but he will now try to retake the record at altitude
