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Davis breaks clear to secure stage

Australian Davis celebrates claiming his fourth victory of the season

PARIS, France -- Australian Allan Davis went clear 3km from the finish to win the 206km third stage of the Tour of Benelux between Beek and Landgraaf.

The Liberty Seguros sprinter, who had broken away with Michael Blaudzun and Leif Hoste 20km from the end, was claiming his fourth win this season.

The Australian performed creditably in the Tour de France and was underlining a good year after winning stages in the Tour of Murcia and the Tour of Aragon this year.

Veteran Rabobank rider Erik Dekker was runner-up, five seconds behind, followed by Italian Daniele Bennati.

Belgian Rik Verbrugghe, winner of Wednesday's prologue, claimed the overall lead back from Max Van Heeswijk.

The Dutchman was over five minutes adrift of the main bunch, suffering on the demanding course and in rainy conditions.

Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi, the rider with most wins this season, had pulled out before the start.

The Fassa Bortolo leader, hampered by a hand injury, has not been at his best and decided to save strength ahead of next month's world championships in Madrid.

Sunday's 232km fourth stage will take the riders back to Belgium to Verviers.

Mancebo joins AG2R

Meanwhile, Spanish climber Francisco Mancebo, fourth in the Tour de France when riding for Illes Balears, has signed a two-year contract with Ag2R.

Mancebo, 29, will join Frenchman Christophe Moreau, fourth in the Tour in 2000. The Credit Agricole rider has also signed up for next season with Ag2R.

The duo could help Ag2R claim the ProTour berth made available by the folding of Italian outfit Fassa Bortolo.

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