Sonny Colbrelli won stage three in a sprint finish ©Getty Images

Italy’s Sonny Colbrelli earned a Critérium du Dauphiné stage victory at the third time of asking after sprinting to success in Saint-Haon-Le-Vieux.

Colbrelli had finished as the runner-up on the opening two stages of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race, leading the peloton over the line after they were unable to catch solo breakaways.

A third opportunity presented itself at the conclusion of today’s 172-kilometre flat stage from Langeac to Saint-Haon-le-Vieux.

The peloton made no mistake with the breakaway today, as a two-man move was caught with 20km remaining of the stage.

Ineos Grenadiers led the peloton into the final kilometres of the stage, building up to an uphill sprint finish.

Colbrelli produced the fastest finish to secure victory, with the Bahrain Victorious rider crossing the line in a time of 3 hours 56min 36sec.

Spain’s Alex Aranburu Deba finished as the runner-up on the same time as the winner.

Lukas Pöstlberger retained the overall race lead ©Getty Images
Lukas Pöstlberger retained the overall race lead ©Getty Images

The United States’ Brandon McNulty completed the top three on the stage.

Lukas Pöstlberger finished safely in the bunch, with yesterday’s stage winner remaining in the overall race lead.

The Austrian cyclist, who rides for Bora-Hansgrohe, holds a two second lead over Colbrelli in the general classification.

The general classification's main contenders will expect to come to the fore tomorrow, with a 16.4kmindividual time trial from Firminy to Roche-la-Moliere.