Spain's David Herrero of the Karpin team won the 195km third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Wednesday between Erandio and Viana while Astana's Alberto Contador retained the overall lead.

Herrero had finished third in the first two stages of the race, and now lies third overall, eight seconds behind Contador.

The 28-year-old Herrero beat out compatriot Luis Leon Sanchez and Italy's Olympic champion Paolo Bettini in a sprint finish for a time of 4:54:24.

Breakaway riders Morris Possoni and Paul Martens spent almost four hours ahead of the main peloton but were swallowed up over the closing kilometers.

Race leader Alberto Contador and his team controlled the pace

Photo: Graham Watson

Contador got a puncture at the 80km mark but had no problems re-entering the main bunch after help from his teammates.

On Thursday, the riders leave Viana in the direction of Vitoria-Gasteiz which is 171km away.