For the second day a New Zealand cyclist was on the podium at the Tour de France.
The Taupo rider Patrick Bevin has helped his American outfit BMC Racing to victory on the third stage, a 35.5km team time trial.
New Zealand cyclist Patrick Bevan (centre) Photo: BMC
Their victory also helped Belgian team-mate Greg van Avermaet into the tour leaders yellow jersey.
"It's a dream. We rode a good time trial and the whole team worked hard," said Van Avermaet. "We've got some specialists in the team, I'm so happy we got this collective victory."
Yesterday Dion Smith grabbed the polka dot king of the mountains jersey.
Defending champion Chris Froome made up for some lost time as his Team Sky finished second.
The Briton had lost 51 seconds to some of his main rivals after a crash in the opening stage but his team's efforts against the clock around Cholet put him back in contention.
Overall, Froome is in 18th place, 55 seconds off the pace and still 44 behind 2017 Giro d'Italia winner Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, who with Team Sunweb only lost seven seconds to the Briton today.
Among the top contenders, last year's runner-up Rigoberto Uran of Colombia is 10th, 35 seconds behind.
Froome's Sky team mate Geraint Thomas could however prove a thorn in his side as the Welshman, who underlined his credentials by winning the Criterium du Dauphine last month, is third overall, 52 seconds ahead of his leader.
Among Froome's main rivals, France's Romain Bardet lost 1:15 today and now trails the Briton by 20 seconds.
Australian Richie Porte, who had also lost 51 seconds in the first stage after being delayed behind a pile-up, benefited from his BMC team's performance to move up to 14th, four seconds ahead of Froome.
Tonight's fourth stage is a 195-km flat ride from La Baule to Sarzeau.
-RNZ/Reuters
