Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) has won Stage 3 of the Giro d?Italia. The Liquigas rider pipped defending champion Damiano Cunego (Lampre) and Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas) to win the hilly, 210-km ride from Diamante to Giffoni Valle Piana in 5:24:17. Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) has taken the maglia rosa from Stage 2 winner Robbie McEwen (Davitamon).

The racing began early. At eight km, Russel Van Hout (Selle Italia) attacked. The Australian?s lead ballooned to 17 minutes by 80 km. Quick Step and Liquigas began to chase, and van Hout?s lead fell.

Van Hout?s sortie ended just before the climb of Santa Tecia (191.4 km). Liquigas led the field up the ascent, and a 50-man lead group formed. This group contained all of the contenders.

Liquigas towed the lead group into the last km. When Di Luca made his move, only Cunego could respond. Di Luca threw his bike to take the stage.

In the overall, Bettini leads Di Luca by 0:09 and Cunego by 0:17.  Stage 4 will not change this state of affairs. The flat, 211-km run from Giffoni Valle Piana to Frosinone should end in a bunch sprint. Will Robbie McEwen (Davitamon) win again? Will Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) break through? Check in at http://www.roadcycling.com/ and find out!