Matthews takes overall lead of Spanish Vuelta

(Rick Bowmer/AP)

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.

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