National track cycling representative Sam Bewley's won the third stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic in Manawatu, the Beijing Olympic medallist putting his track power to good use as he outsprinted breakaway companion Nick Lovegrove of Subway Pro Cycling for the win.
The stage result did not affect the overall leaders with Australian Darren Lapthorne retaining the tour lead by a narrow three seconds over fellow Australian Jay McCarthy.
Saturday's penultimate fourth stage is a 111-kilometre circuit stage from Palmerston North through Bunnythorpe, Awahou and Ashurst.
