The third stage was won by Briton Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech).
Britain’s Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) won the 3rd stage of the Tour of Britain on Thursday in Barnsley, where he consolidated his leader’s jersey.
Williams, who had already won the day before, beat the young Frenchman Paul Magnier in a hill sprint, who had won the first stage on Tuesday.
In the general classification, Williams has a 16-second lead over his compatriot Oscar Onley while the last three stages have been free of difficulty.
The 28-year-old rider, who has won his 10th career victory, his 5th this season after the Tour Down Under (one stage + the general classification) and the Flèche wallonne, is gradually building up a fine list of achievements.
A group of escapees who had been lively at the start of the stage were caught shortly before the last climb four kilometres from the line.
The leaders of the Soudal-Quick Step team, the Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe and the Belgian Remco Evenepoel, were unable to follow the best in the final.
The victory was therefore contested in a sprint, with Williams beating Paul Magnier, 2nd and the Italian Edoardo Zambanini, 3rd. Friday, the 4th stage, short (138 km) was written to favor a mass sprint.
. 3rd step:
1. Stephen Williams (GBR/Israel-Premier Tech, en 3 h 50:03
2 Paul Magnier (FRA) mt
3. Edoardo Zambani (ITA) mt
4. Jelte Krijnsen (NED) mt
5. Oscar Onley (GBR) m.t.
6. Tom Pidcock (GBR)) m.t.
General classification:
1 Stephen Williams (GBR/Israel-Premier Tech en 11 h38:53
2. Oscar Onley (GBR) at 16.
3. Mark Donovan (GBR) at 41
4. Joseph Blackmore (GBR) at 41.
5. Tom Donnenwirth (FRA) at 41.
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