Metlushenko caps good day for Ukraine

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On a flat windy day at the Tour of Hainan, stage three was taken out by Yuriy Metlushenko (Ukraine) in a bunch sprint, while team mate Vitaliy Buts retained the leaders jersey for the third day in a row.

The 153.1 kilometre stage from Xinglong and up the coast to Wenchang was contested on a flat profile along smooth, mainly dual carriageway roads. The skies were overcast and the temperatures were a world away from yesterday's heat and humidity.

Yellow jersey wearer Vitaliy Buts (Ukraine) was back racing after yesterday's crash in the final kilometre, bandaged but ready to race.

The first half of the stage was a rapid dash along dual carriageway with many break attempts failing. Eventually, an 11 man break formed after 40 kilometres and managed to gain two minutes on the lingering bunch.

After the feed zone, at 74 kilometres, several teams including Russia, Kazakhstan and Nutrixxion Sparkasse took turns on the front of the bunch. Their efforts saw them catch the majority of the break, however, Suh Seok Kyu (Seoul) and Matthias Brandle (Elk Haus) held out until the 115 kilometre mark.

Head winds had become stronger and the two breakaways were reeled in. Despite a series of late-race break attempts in the lead up to the finish it came down to a group sprint. Ukrainian big man Yuriy Metlushenko surged the strongest in the bunch kick and took line honours.