The Netherlands’ Koen Bouwman won stage three of the Critérium du Dauphiné today ©Getty Images

The Netherlands’ Koen Bouwman won stage three of the Critérium du Dauphiné today as Belgium’s Thomas De Gendt retained the overall race lead.

Bouwman beat five other competitors in a sprint finish, clocking a time of 4 hours 6min 6sec for the 184 kilometres-stage from Le Chambon-sur-Lignon to Tullins.

It secured the 23-year-old LottoNL-Jumbo rider his first professional victory.

Lithuania’s Evaldas Siskevicius of Delko-Marseille Provence KTM finished second, while Belgium’s Frederik Backaert of Wanty-Groupe Gobert came third.

France’s Bryan Nauleau of Direct Énergie took fourth spot, while the United States’ Alexey Vermeulen and France’s Quentin Pacher, team-mates of Bouwman and Siskevicius respectively, rounded out the top six.

Stage two winner Arnaud Démare of FDJ beat fellow Frenchman Bryan Coquard of Direct Énergie in the battle for minor places 11 seconds later.

Belgium's Thomas De Gendt retained the overall race lead ©Getty Images
Belgium's Thomas De Gendt retained the overall race lead ©Getty Images

De Gendt held onto the yellow jersey going into tomorrow’s 23.5-kilometres individual time trial from La Tour-du-Pin to Bourgoin-Jallieu.

France’s Axel Domont of AG2R La Mondiale is his nearest challenger, 48 seconds back.

Three-time winner Chris Froome of Team Sky is 1:09 behind after the Briton crossed the line in 40th place today.

The Critérium du Dauphiné is the 23rd event of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour.

Action in France is due to conclude on Sunday (June 11).