Meersman takes third stage

The 21-year-old Meersman, racing in the United States for the first time, emerged from a group of 13 riders in the final 200 metres to claim the 190.3-km Rome to Chattanooga stage by one second in four hours, 33 minutes, 18 seconds.

Canada, who began the day in 15th place overall, finished second and Janez Brajkovic of Slovenia was third.

Canada, who last year won the Tour of Catalonia, now leads the seven-stage race by three seconds over Rubens Bertogliati of Switzerland. American Christian Vande Velde is third overall, also trailing by three seconds.

The top three finishers and 10 other riders escaped from the field after 25 km, building up a lead of more than 23 minutes in the middle sections of the stage and more than 29 minutes by the end.

Daniele Contrini of Italy, who won the first stage and held a 29-second lead entering the third stage, finished in the main pack and fell to 14th place overall, trailing by 27:47. Meersman is 13th overall, trailing by 6:31.

The 1,059-km event continues on Thursday with an individual time trial over 30.4 km from Chickamauga to Lookout Mountain.