Slowly the sprint days are running out, but here is another chance for those who haven't yet gotten a big result. Another short, but with four intermediate sprints this time.
Podium Ambition have been busy in breakaways so far and they do it again with Kelly and White. U25 leader Kroonen is in between.
In previous days the counter attacks from the peloton always negated the first breakaway attempt. This time the initial move is still going, but Cruz has replaced Kelly who couldn't keep the high pace.
Aquilani, Plapp and Delbove also make it across for a 6 man break.
The breakaway is holding a 2'22'' lead as White wins the first of four intermediate sprints.
White makes two for two now. The breakaway's gap is still at 2 minutes, 58 km to go.
In the peloton the chasing workload is being shared by Tryg, Pas Normal and BWT.
Cruz edges out White for the third sprint, while Aquilani and Kroonen are struggling to keep hold of the group.
Cruz also wins the final intermediate sprint which by my on the fly maths means he actually has taken over the GC lead for the moment! With 20 km remaining, the peloton is very close to catching the escapees.
The catch is made with 11 km to go. Plenty of time now for the sprint teams to get organised.
Tryg and BWT are the teams looking to set up trains today. The rest are looking to find a wheel to follow.
Johannessen is leading Krieger with 1.5 km to go and there is fierce fight to get behind the German.
Guerao launches a long sprint and that prompts everyone else to open up as well. Krieger is now slightly boxed in while Losch is now trying to pick up speed after leaving the wheel of his own lead out.
Guerao is losing speed in the final 300 m. Prasad, Bauhaus and Alaphilippe look favourite at this point.
But in the end coming out of nowhere on the near side it is Trond Larsen with an upset win for Bianchi! Kochetkov was also moving fast and just barely missed out in 2nd. Mareczko was the fast finisher on the far side in 3rd place.
So Jakub Mareczko get the necessary bonus seconds to ruin Cruz's breakaway strategy and takes over the GC lead. The Italian is also the points leader while White as perfect as it sounds will indeed be wearing white tomorrow as the best young rider.
Vuelta al Tachira - Stage 3 
