Today's Volta a Catalunya stage was shortened but tomorrow is very tough. Those with designs on the overall must show themselves. Above, Thomas de Gendt continues the 'win the stage, take the jersey' pattern this afternoon.

Thomas de Gendt wins stage 3 at Volta a Catalunya

Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche are will in contention overall at Volta a Catalunya as a big stage looms.

On today’s third day the threat snow forced the organisers to shorten the stage. It was originally penciled as featuring the summit finish to Vallter 2000.

However, that finale was a victim of the stage being changed. Instead the new route featuring a cat 1 ascent midway and a cat 2 close to the finish.

And though the road continued to rise after that climb, it failed to prove decisive.

Instead, it proved a day for the breakaway; Thomas de Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) winning the day and the race lead.

Thomas de Gendt was the sole survivor from the day-long escape having first gone clear early with Clement Chevrier (AG2R La Mondiale) and Lluis Mas (Caja Rural).

Mikel Bizkarra (Euskadi Basque Country-Murias) would late join them with Pablo Torres (Burgos BH).

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The gap never got much bigger than 2:30. Furthermore, De Gendt had a headwind when the dropped the others.

And even though some teams pooled together to chase him, they under estimated him and he would survive.

At the finish in Camprodón after 153km he had 20 seconds on a near 80-man group sprinting for runner-up spot.

The stage winner had also taken time bonuses along the way. As a result, he now leads overall.

He has 23 seconds on overnight leader Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). De Gendt also has the king of the mountains jersey.

Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) finished in the bunch with Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing); in 20th and 57th respectively.

Philip Deignan (Team Sky) was 132nd some 8:57 down. And Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) was 163rd, at 14:52.

Tomorrow’s stage 4 is 171km from Llanars to La Molina. It features a HC ascent crested at 137km.

The finish is up a cat 1 climb; over 11km long. It dips down with around 2km to go before kicking up again for most of the last kilometre.