Christophe Laporte extended his overall lead in the Criterium du Dauphine by winning the third stage on Tuesday.
Laporte pipped Sam Bennett in second place and Dylan Groenewegen in third after a 194.1km ride finishing in Le Coteau, to the east of Lyon.
Following a review Bennett and Groenewegen were dropped to 33rd and 34th place after changing their line during the final sprint.
Matteo Trentin was then moved up to second place and Milan Menten third.
“I always said I was quick, but not quick enough to beat those riders,” Laporte said. “Groenewegen was a little blocked on the right, Bennett was running on empty, it allowed me to get by on the left, it made me happy.”
With less than a month to go to the Tour de France, reigning Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard finished in the main group as did 2019 winner Egan Bernal.
Laporte now leads compatriot Julian Alaphilippe by 11 seconds in the overall standings thanks to a bonus for the stage victory with Richard Carapaz third, 17 seconds behind.
Wednesday’s fourth stage is a 31.1km individual time trial from Cours to Belmont-de-la-Loire.
