Sagan increases lead in Tour of California

Sprinter Peter Sagan of Slovakia surged to the front in the final 100 yards to win his third straight stage and extend his race lead Tuesday in the third stage of the Tour of California.

Sagan swung wide to the right to edge Heinrich Haussler of Australia for the third day en route to claiming the 115.3-mile San Jose to Livermore road race in 4 hours, 50 minutes and 49 seconds.

Former world road titlist Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) of Belgium, the world's No. 1-ranked cyclist, was third.

Sagan, of the Liquigas-Cannondale team, lead's Haussler, of Garmin-Brracuda, by 12 seconds, with five stages of the eight-day race remaining.

Jeffry Louder of UnitedHealthcare is third overall, trailing by 24 seconds.