COPENHAGEN (AFP) — Matti Breschel (Saxo-Tinkoff) won stage 3 at the Tour of Denmark on Friday.
With his victory in the 200km stage from Vejle to Soenderborg, Breschel seized control of the race lead.
Several riders abandoned the stage, the longest of the race. Temperatures hovered around 89 degrees Fahrenheit.
After an early break of six riders was able to stay out front, Breschel attacked near the finish to beat Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox) and Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) to the line.
Lars Bak (Lotto-Belisol) is second in the GC, six seconds behind Breschel. Bongiorno is a further eight seconds back in third.
Saturday’s stage 4 is 105km, and it will be followed, later in the day, with stage 5 — a 12.1km time trial.
The race ends Sunday.