Italy's Petacchi wins stage three of the Tour of Spain

Italian Alessandro Petacchi of Fassa Bortolo team crosses the finish line to win the third stage of the Tour of Spain, Monday. PHOTO: EPA

Italy's Alessandro Petacchi won the third stage of the Tour of Spain on Monday in a sprint finish.

The Fassa Bartolo rider finished the 154km leg from Cangas de Onis to Santander in southern Spain in three hours, 24 minutes, 13 seconds.

Erik Zabel of the Telekom team was second, followed by Belgian Tom Boonen, riding for Quick Step. The victory confirmed Petacchi's good form this season after winning six stages in the Giro d'Italia and four in the Tour of France.

"It's very difficult to take part of the three big races and to win in the three of them, but I'm in good shape now," Petacchi said. "It's a happy day and I think I've proven that if I win is because I'm the strongest."

Spain's Joaquin Rodriguez retained the overall lead with a time of 7 hours, 24 minutes.

The fourth stage on Tuesday is a 151km stretch from Santander to Burgos.