Andrew Talansky claimed a landmark victory on stage three at Paris-Nice to move into the yellow jersey.
In behind it was Cannondale who led the chase on behalf of overnight leader Viviani, wit the gap holding firm over the day's pair of third category climbs. As the day wore on, Omega Pharma - Quick-Step again lent their weight to the chase.
Yet it wasn't until the final 25km when the race really burst into life, with Team Sky setting a stinging tempo to split things apart and set up a thrilling finish.
Stage three result
1 Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp, 4:06.15
2 Davide Malacarne (Ita) Europcar, same time
3 Gorka Izaguirre (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi, st
4 David Lopez (Spa) Team Sky, st
5 Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky, st
6 Romain Bardet (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale, st
7 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana, st
8 Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Sojasun, +7secs
9 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Astana, st
10 Maxime Bouet (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale
General classification
1 Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp, 14:39.36
2 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana, +3secs
3 Davide Malacarne (Ita) Europcar, same time
4 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step, +4
5 Gorka Izaguirre (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi, +5
6 Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM, +6
7 Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky, +7
8 Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step, +8
9 David Lopez (Spa) Team Sky, +9
10 Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Sojasun, +12
