Martin Elmiger (Phonak) has won Stage 3 of the Tour de Languedoc-Roussillon. Elmiger took a bunch sprint from Yuri Krivtsov (Ag2r) and Inaki Isasi (Euskaltel) to win the rolling, 162-km run from Ganges to Aigues-Mortes in 3:30:00. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) remains the overall leader.

From the start, the racing was aggressive. After an early 10-man break was reeled in, a dozen riders sallied off of the front at 44 km. Phonak chased and gradually reeled in the escapees, with Jean-Cyril Robin (La Francaise des Jeux.com) and Sylvain Calvati (RAGT) being caught in the last km. The sprint then occurred, and Elmiger won it.

In the overall, Hushovd leads Jerome Pineau (Brioches La Boulangere) and Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2r) by 0:08. Stage 4 will change matters. The 161-km ride from Pont du Gard to Mende will feature three Category 1 climbs, including the ascent to the finish. Who will take over the race? Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole)? Lance Armstrong (U.S. Postal Service)? Check in at www.roadcycling.com and find out!