Cycling: Henderson gets stage win

Greg Henderson. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Greg Henderson has taken out the third stage of the Tour of California today in a sprint finish.

Henderson held onto a late break to win the 196km stage from Auburn to Modesto, beating out Argentina's Juan Jose Haedo and Norway's Thor Hushovd.

The New Zealander now holds the tour's yellow jersey heading into tomorrow's fourth stage.

The Team Sky rider completed the second stage win in as many days for his team after leading Ben Swift to victory yesterday.

Henderson was aiming to set up Swift for another win but when the Englishman fell back into the pack, the Kiwi decided to go for the win himself.

"I just opened it up down the left-hand side," he said after the race.

"I must have been a hundred metres to go and I thought 'man, there must be only 10 pedal strokes left - no one has come around me yet'. So I put my head down and I was blown to pieces on the line, I was absolutely lacquered for the last 50 metres, but I was lucky enough no one came around me."

Henderson heralded the efforts of his Sky teammates.

"It was another great ride by Sky.

"We rode honourably to defend the yellow jersey. Unfortunate that Swifty got mixed up back there, but of course I am happy to get the win."

Henderson is tied for first place with Swift who finished 11th.

- HERALD ONLINE