Van Bon claims third stage victory
ROANNE, France -- Dutchman Leon Van Bon has won the 227.5 km third stage of the Paris-Nice race from La Chapelle Saint Ursin to Roanne.
The Lotto rider beat Germany's Thomas Ziegler of the Gerolsteiner team after the pair broke away at the 31km mark to build up a large lead.
Belgium's Tom Boonen of the Quick Step team was third after outsprinting the group, which came home some 25 seconds behind the winner.
Germany's Joerg Jaksche of the CSC team retains the overall leader's yellow jersey by six seconds from Italian Davide Rebellin.
"It was very difficult because it was really cold but as soon as the gap reached 12 minutes, I started to believe in victory," said Van Bon.
The fourth stage takes the riders over 184.5 km from Roanne to Le Puy en Velay.
