IRELAND’S NICOLAS ROCHE sprinted to a stage win in the third leg of the Tour of Beijing today.
Ag2r rider Roche pipped compatriot Philip Deignan of RadioShack in a final sprint to the line after a breakaway.
The duo – as well as Team Sky’s Chris Froome – broke clear at the final climb of the day and held off a depleted pack on the descent into Yong Ning.
It is Roche’s first World Tour win and comes towards the end of a season that was hampered at times by poor form and ill health.
The five-stage event climaxes on Sunday.
