Davis lands Benelux stage victory

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Australian Allan Davis went clear 3km from the finish to win the third stage of the Tour of Benelux between Beek and Landgraaf on Saturday.

The Liberty Seguros sprinter, who had broken away with Dane Michael Blaudzun and Belgian Leif Hoste 20km from the end, landed his fourth win this season.

Veteran Rabobank rider Erik Dekker was runner-up five seconds behind, followed by Italian Daniele Bennati.

Belgian Rik Verbrugghe regained the overall lead from Max Van Heeswijk.

The Dutchman was over five minutes adrift of the main bunch, suffering on the demanding course and in rainy conditions.

Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi, the rider with most wins this season, had pulled out before the start.

The Fassa Bortolo leader, hampered by a hand injury, has not been at his best and decided to save strength ahead of next month's world championships in Madrid.

Sunday's forth stage will take the riders back to Belgium with a 232km ride to Verviers.

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Tour of Benelux stage three results:
1. Allan Davis (Aus/Liberty Seguros) 4:54:30"
2. Erik Dekker (Ned/Rabobank) +5"
3. Daniele Bennati (Ita/Lampre-Caffita)
4. Sergei Ivanov (Rus/T-Mobile)
5. Pieter Mertens (Bel/Chocolade Jacques)
6. Peter Van Petegem (Bel/Davitamon-Lotto)

Overall standings
1. Rik Verbrugghe (Bel/Quick-Step) 13:38:29"
2. Allan Davis (Aus/Liberty Seguros) +2"
3. Michael Blaudzun (Den/Team CSC) +8"
4. Carlos Barredo (Spa/Liberty Seguros) +10"
5. Bram Schmitz (Ned/ T-Mobile) +12"
6. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Bel/Discovery Channel)
7. Erik Dekker (Ned/Rabobank)
8. Andreas Klier (Ger/T-Mobile) +14"
9. Peter Van Petegem (Bel/Davitamon-Lotto) +16"
10. Steven de Jongh (Ned/Rabobank) +17"