Pozzovivo wins 3rd stage of Volta a Catalunya

Pozzovivo, who rides for Ag2r-La Mondiale, finished three seconds ahead of Colombia's Rigoberto Uran and third-place Daniel Martin of Ireland. (Lalo R. Villar/AP)

GIRONA, Spain — Domenico Pozzovivo of Italy surged ahead of the lead pack to win the third stage of the Volta a Catalunya on Wednesday, while Pierre Rolland of France became the overall race leader.

Pozzovivo, who rides for Ag2r-La Mondiale, finished three seconds ahead of Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran and third-place Daniel Martin of Ireland.

The race was fragmented into several groups after two spills, one of which brought down Alejandro Valverde on a bend as he reached the crest of the category 1 Alt dels Angels ascent.

Before the final climb, the lead group which included Spain’s Alberto Contador and Andrew Talansky of the United States had opened up a 12-second gap over the pack.

Thursday’s stage is a mountainous 188.4 kilometre (117 mile) ride from Tona to La Molina.

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