SAINT-ETIENNE, June 9, 2009 (AFP) – Dutch rider Nikki Terpstra won the third stage of the Dauphine Libere cycle race here on Tuesday and in the process took over the overall race leader’s yellow jersey.

He edged past Frenchman Ludovic Turpin and Russian Yuri Trofimov to take
the 182 kilometre stage from Tournus.

The trio were part of a five-man breakaway which got ahead of the main group 30 kilometres into the stage. Although the peloton reduced the lead from six minutes down to a matter of seconds, the leading quintet managed to keep ahead.

Terpstra took the yellow jersey off Australian Cadel Evans.

“I joined the breakaway to try and get the leader’s yellow jersey,” said Terpstra, “I’ve done it and I am happy. When we got to the final climb I realized it could be done,” he added.

Turpin said that while it was frustrating to finish second he did not believe he could have done more.

“A sprint is always a finely judged thing!” conceded Turpin.

“I was well placed on the wheel of Terpstra but I wasn’t able to get past him.

“I don’t think I made a mistake. After a year-and-a-half of misery, it’s good for morale.”

Wednesday’s fourth stage is a 42 kilometre time trial in Valence.

Stage 3 Results
1. Niki Terpstra (NED/MRM) 4hr 32min 34sec
2. Ludovic Turpin (FRA/ALM) 0:00.
3. Yuri Trofimov (RUS/BBO) 0:00.
4. Remi Pauriol (FRA/COF) 0:00.
5. Inigo Landaluze (ESP/EUS) 0:00.
6. Nikolai Trussov (RUS/KAT) 1:32.
7. Murilo Fischer (BRA/LIQ) 1:32.
8. Marco Bandiera (ITA/LAM) 1:32.
9. Markus Zberg (SUI/BMC) 1:32.
10. Christian Knees (GER/MRM) 1:32.

Overall results
1. Niki Terpstra (NED/MRM) 10hr 23min 45sec
2. Remi Pauriol (FRA/COF) at 0:26 sec
3. Yuri Trofimov (RUS/BBO) 0:27.
4. Ludovic Turpin (FRA/ALM) 0:36.
5. Cadel Evans (AUS/SIL) 1min 01sec
6. Inigo Landaluze (ESP/EUS) 1:01.
7. Alberto Contador (ESP/AST) 1:09.
8. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) 1:24.
9. Sebastien Rosseler (BEL/QST) 1:34.
10. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/LIQ) 1:35.