German rider Linus Gerdemann of the Columbia team took the overall lead after winning a sprint finish for the third stage of the Tour de l’Ain cycling race here on Tuesday.
Gerdemann crossed the line ahead of French duo David Moncoutie of Cofidis and Stephane Goubert of AG2R after the 103.9km race around Lelex in the Jura mountain range, straddling the border between France and Switzerland.
He takes the overall leader’s yellow jersey from Belgian Greg Van Avermaet.
Results in the Tour de l’Ain’s 103.9km third stage around Lelex on Tuesday:
3rd stage 1. Linus Gerdemann (GER/Columbia team) 2hr 47min 27sec, 2. David Moncoutie (FRA) same time, 3. Stephane Goubert (FRA) s.t., 4. Jussy Veikkanen (FIN) at 15sec, 5. Arnold Jeannesson (FRA) s.t.
Overall standings 1. Linus Gerdemann (GER/Columbia) 10hr 38min 02sec, 2. David Moncoutie (FRA) at 4sec, 3. Stephane Goubert (FRA) 6, 4. Jussy Veikkanen (FIN) 25, 5. Olivier Zaugg (SUI) s.t.