Istanbul - Mark Cavendish lost his Tour of Turkey lead when trailing in half an hour behind veteran Davide Rebellin in Tuesday's third stage.
The British sprint specialist led the overall standings after the first two stages but struggled over this 165km ride concluding with a first category climb up to the summit at Elmali.
The 43-year-old Rebellin prevailed by seven seconds from his fellow escapees from the peloton Kristijan Durasek of Croatia and Argentine Eduardo Sepulveda, 50 seconds away in third.
Wednesday's fourth stage takes the peloton on a 132km ride from Fethiye to Marmatis.
Results from Tuesday's third stage of the Tour of Turkey, a 165 kilometres ride from Antalya to Elmali:
Stage
1. Davide Rebellin (ITA/CCC) 4hr 34min 11sec, 2. Kristijan Durasek (CRO/LAM) at 7sec, 3. Eduardo Sepulveda (ARG/BSE) 50, 4. Jay McCarthy (AUS/TCS) at 1min 20sec, 5. Serge Pauwels (BEL/MTN) 1:23.
Overall:
1. Davide Rebellin (ITA/CCC) 12hr 13min 41sec, 2. Kristijan Durasek (CRO/LAM) at 7sec, 3. Eduardo Sepulveda (ARG/BSE) 50, 4. Jay McCarthy (AUS/TCS) 1min 20sec, 5. Serge Pauwels (BEL/MTN) 1:23.