Compiegne, France – Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara extended his overall lead in the Tour de France today, winning the third and longest stage of the race as cycling’s showpiece event entered its home country.
Cancellara, who won Saturday’s prologue, finished ahead of a pack of breakaway riders at the end of a 147-mile ride from Waregem, Belgium, to Compiegne, northeast of Paris.
“I have no words after winning something like that,” Cancellara said.
Erik Zabel of Germany was second and Danilo Napolitano of Italy was third.
Cancellara has held the yellow jersey all four days of this year’s race. He increased his overall lead by gaining bonus points with this victory, although he is not expected to contend once the race heads to the Alps and Pyrenees.
He leads Andreas Kloeden of Germany by 33 seconds. David Millar of Britain is third, 41 seconds behind.
