Sunny delight for Bono

The 23-year-old Lampre rider, who also won a stage at the Tirreno-Adriatico race in March, shrugged off rainy conditions to narrowly beat breakaway rivals Fumiyuki Beppu of Japan (Discovery Channel) and fellow Italian Marco Pinotti (T-Mobile).

Paolo Savoldelli of Italy, riding for Astana, kept the overall race lead.

"It was hard all day and I don't think the bunch really let us go," Bono said.

"In the final sprint I was confident because Pinotti was tired after his move (20-km out) and I knew the Japanese from the amateur ranks. I knew I was faster than him."

The trio parted company with the main pack after 4km and led by 19 minutes 21 seconds after 60-km.

Pinotti made his own breakaway with 20-km to go, only to be caught by Beppu and Bono with 4km remaining.

The outcome of the race could be decided in Saturday's demanding fourth stage to Morgins which includes four first-category climbs.

"It is still a little difficult to know precisely what sort of form I'm in," said Savoldelli. "We'll see tomorrow."