Meersman claims Romandie stage three

LAUSANNE (AFP) –

Belgium’s Gianni Meersman celebrates while crossing the finish line and winning the third stage of the Tour de Romandie cycling race on April 26, 2013 in Payerne.

Belgian Gianni Meersman won the third stage of the Tour of Romandie on Friday following a 181km ride around Payerne.

The 27-year-old Omega Pharma rider beat Italian Francesco Gavazzi and Switzerland’s Michael Albasini in a sprint finish.

It was Meersman’s second stage win in the tour after his success in Wednesday’s first stage but Britain’s Chris Froome still held the overall lead.

However, Meersman moved up to third in the overall standings thanks to time bonuses collected on the stage, and trails the Team Sky rider by just nine seconds. American Andrew Talansky remains second at six seconds.

For Meersman it was a satusfying finish and helped make up for losing out to Lithuania’s Ramunas Navardauskas on Thursday.

“I was disappointed with my sprint yesterday (Thursday) and I wanted to put things right today,” he said.

“I had three stages in mind before this tour. I won two and yesterday I was third so I’m delighted.”