Breschel heads Saxo Bank one-two

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Saxo Bank seized control of the Tour of Denmark with a spectacular display of teamwork, putting Matti Breschel into the race lead with the stage victory over teammate Jakob Fuglsang.

The pair escaped on the Kiddesvej climb inside the final 20km of the 185km third stage from Hadsten to Vejle when Fuglsang attacked and was followed by Breschel. The two managed to hold off the chase and Breschel crossed the line first 17 seconds ahead of Vacansoleil's Joost Van Leijen. Breschel now leads the race by 10 seconds over Fuglsang with Van Leijen in third.

"Before the stage, we actually joked about escaping from the pack and making it to the finish line but having realized it is still kind of surreal," said Breschel. "The team did an amazing job tiring the whole peloton before the finale and as we established the lead it was all about keeping it going to the finish line."

After Saturday's 100km stage, Fuglsang and Breschel will face off in the afternoon's 19.4km time trial. The Tour of Denmark concludes on Sunday with a 185km stage from Høng to Rudersdal.