ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA, Spain — Michael Matthews of Australia sprinted to victory on the third stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Monday to take the overall lead of the three-week grand tour.
Matthews passed Daniel Martin at the finish line to claim the hilly 197.8-kilometre (122.9-mile) ride from Cadiz to Arcos de la Frontera in 5 hours, 12 minutes.
Joaquim Rodriguez crossed third.
Matthews, riding for Orica GreenEdge, took the red leader’s jersey from Alejandro Valverde.
Tuesday’s fourth stage is a 164.7-kilometre (102.3-mile) ride from Mairena del Alcor to Cordoba featuring one category-two climb.
The race ends in Santiago de Compostela on Sept. 14.