Arndt takes Dauphine Stage 3

Le Teil - Germany's Nikias Arndt has won a sprint finish to claim the third stage of the Critrium du Dauphine on Tuesday as Britain's Chris Froome held onto the race lead.

Giant team rider Arndt, 22, crossed the finish line ahead of Belgian Kris Boeckmans and South African teammate Reinardt Janse van Rensburg after the 194km run under the sun.

Amid searing heat, a group fall after 65km resulted in the withdrawal of France's Jerome Coppel and Italian Giacomo Nizzolo.

Wednesday's fourth stage returns to the mountains covering 167.5km between Montelimar and Gap, with a finish on the summit of Col de Manse.

Results after stage three of the Criterium du Dauphine, over 194km from Ambert to Le Teil on Tuesday:

Stage
1. Nikias Arndt (GER/GIA) 5hr 30min 03sec, 2. Kris Boeckmans (BEL/LTB) same time, 3. Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg (RSA/GIA) s.t., 4. Yannick Martinez (FRA/EUC) s.t., 5. Davide Cimolai (ITA/LAM) s.t., 6. Jens Keukeleire (BEL/ORI) s.t., 7. Alexei Tsatevich (RUS/KAT) s.t., 8. Arnaud Dmare (FRA/FDJ) s.t., 9. Gianni Meersman (BEL/OPQ) s.t., 10. Marco Marcato (ITA/CAN) s.t.

Overall
1. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) 10hr 07min 47sec, 2. Alberto Contador (ESP/TIN) at 12sec, 3. Wilco Kelderman (NED/BKN) 21sec, 4. Andrew Talansky (USA/GRM) 33, 5. Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL/LTB) 35, 6. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 50, 7. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP/TRE) 1min 22sec, 8. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 1:22, 9. Adam Yates (ENG/ORI) 1:31, 10. Tanel Kangert (EST/AST) 1:35