Eneco Tour: Tom Boonen triumphs in stage three

Belgian Tom Boonen sprinted to victory in stage three

Tom Boonen came out on top in a sprint finish to the third stage of the Eneco Tour between Beveren and Ardooie in the former world champion's native Belgium.

The Etixx - Quick-Step rider was followed home at the end of the 171.9 kilometre ride by France's Arnaud Demare (FDJ.fr) and Team Sky's Italian sprinter Elia Viviani.

Jesper Asselman of the Netherlands retained the overall leader's white jersey with a mere one second advantage over Boonen, who was 10 seconds adrift at the start of the day.

The stage had promised to be another demonstration of force from Andre Greipel, who had won Tuesday's second stage.

But the German sprinter was trapped on the narrow roads of Ardooie and was too far back to play any part in the dash for the line.

Demare had launched the sprint from a good way out but it was Boonen, world road race champion in 2005, who took him on and proved the stronger in front of his home fans.

Thursday's fourth stage, a 13.9km time-trial around the Dutch town of Hoogerheide, is likely to shake up the overall standings.

Stage 3 result:

1. Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx-Quick-Step 3:54:25"

2. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr same time

3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Team Sky st 

4. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana st             

5. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) Team Roompot st

6. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudol st

7. Ruediger Selig (Ger) Katusha st                

8. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre-Merdia st

9. Danny van Poppel (Ned) Trek Factory Racing st

10. Roy Jans (Bel) Wanty st                

Overall standings:

1. J Asselman (Ned) Team Roompot 12:13:20

2. T Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step +1sec

3. E Viviani (Ita) Team Sky same time

4. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal +5

5. E Theuns (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen +6

6. D van Poppel (Ned) Trek Factory Racing +9

7. A Demare (Fra) FDJ.jr same time

8. J Guarnieri (Ita) Katusha st

9.  G Van Hoecke (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen st

10. F Veuchelen (Bel) Wanty st