MATTHEW BRENNAN sprinted to victory in the third stage of the Tour of Britain in Ampthill this afternoon.

The Darlington rider got the better of his rivals in a frantic finish, with Tudor’s Alberto Dainese taking second and Rui Oliveira (Team Emirates) completing the podium.

Brennan’s Team Visma team-mate Olav Kooij, who had won the first two stages, turned provider as he led a strong lead-out to put Brennan in position to take victory.

Kooij finished high enough to keep hold of the race leader’s green jersey for another day, with Brennan leapfrogging into second place and Dainese in third.

A four-strong group including Britain’s Ben Chilton broke away to dominate most of the stage from Milton Keynes, but were hauled back in the final kilometres, setting up the exciting finale.