MADRID, March 6, 2009 (AFP) – Czech rider Frantisek Rabon of Team Columbia on Friday won the third stage of the Tour of Murcia, 16-kilometre time trial through the streets of San Pedro del Pinatar.

Rabon, who took over the Team Columbia leadership from New Zealand sprinter Greg Henderson, clocked a 49.78km/h average over the course, coming in 19 seconds ahead of his teammate, Germany’s time trial World Champion Bert Grabsch.

Two-time Tour of Spain champion Denis Menchov of Rabobank came in third.
The Russian rider was 25 seconds behind the leader.

The fourth stage on Saturday will cover 156.1 kilometres and begin and end in Alhama de Murcia. The Tour wraps up on Sunday.