Chris Froome remains in charge of the Criterium du Dauphine after a third day which saw the sprinters take centre stage.

Froome was well protected by his Sky teammates on the 194km route from Ambert to Le Teil and crossed the finish line amid a large pack, with Nikias Arndt taking the stage win.

Arndt had to go to a photo finish to get the nod ahead of Jurgen Roelandts, with the two neck-and-neck over a thrilling last 100 metres.

Froome was given the same time as the pair, preserving his 12-second lead over Alberto Contador at the head of the classification as his preparations continue for the defence of his Tour de France crown. This starts in Yorkshire on Saturday, July 5 before heading through west Essex and East London on July 7 as Stage Three from Cambridge to the capital ends on The Mall.