Critérium du Dauphiné 2014: Stage 3 - Arndt sprints to victory

Nikias Arndt took the biggest win of his career to date, out-sprinting Kris Boeckmans to the line after a fast finale. There was no major change on GC with all the main favourites finishing safely in the bunch after a long day in the saddle. (Slideshow route/profile)

Critérium du Dauphiné 2014: Results 3rd stage

1. Nikias Arndt (Ger)
2. Kris Boeckmans (bel) s.t.
3. Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (Saf) s.t.
4. Yannick Martinez (fra) s.t.
5. Davide Cimolai (ita) s.t.
6. Jens Keukeleire (bel) s.t.
7. Alexey Tsatevich (rus) s.t.
8. Arnaud Démare (fra) s.t.
9. Gianni Meersman (bel) s.t.
10.Marco Marcato (ita) s.t

GC after 3rd stage
1. Chris Froome (gbr)
2. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.10
3. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) + 0.21
4. Andrew Talansky (USA) + 0.33
5. Jurgen van den Broeck (bel) + 0.35
6. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.50
7. Haimar Zubeldia (spa) + 1.22
8. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.22
9. Adam Yates(gbr) + 1.31
10.Tanel Kangert (est) + 1.35

Race report
Today’s early break was made up of Blel Kadri (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Cesare Bendetti (NetApp-Endura) and Natnael Berhane (Europcar). They stuck together on the rolling terrain for a tough day in the saddle. They were caught with 20 kilometres remaining after spending 170 kilometres out front.

The early catch meant more attacks would come before a bunch finish was definite and Jens Voigt and Pim Ligthart tried to get away. They established a 20 second gap but it wasn’t to be. Edet and Favilli also had a dig then but with 5 kilometres to go the OPQS team has brought everything back together.

Westra then went alone but couldn’t last and a frenetic final kilometre saw Giant-Shimano’s Nikias Arndt take the win ahead of Lotto-Belisol’s Kris Boeckmans.

No change on GC with Froome and Contador finishing safely in the bunch.