American Farrar sprints to Stage 3 win

Tyler Farrar became the first American to win a Tour de France stage on July 4, dominating a sprint finish in the third leg Monday as teammate Thor Hushovd of Norway kept the yellow jersey.

It was the first Tour stage victory for Farrar, one of the world's best sprinters, and showcased the dominance of the Garmin-Cervelo team over the past two days at cycling's biggest race.

The 123-mile flat route from Olonne-sur-Mer to Redon in western Brittany favored sprinters such as Farrar, Mark Cavendish of Britain, Italy's Alessandro Petacchi, Tom Boonen of Belgium and Hushovd, the world champion.

"I certainly would have taken it on any day," Farrar said of the stage victory. "But as an American, winning on the Fourth of July, it's the icing on the cake . . . Lucky me."

At the finish, the American nosed ahead of France's Romain Feillu, who was second, and Jose Joaquin Rojas of Spain in third. Farrar and a pack of riders clocked the same time: 4 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds.

With his victory, Farrar became the first American to win a Tour stage since Levi Leipheimer placed first in the individual time trial in Angouleme in 2007.

The top standings didn't change: Hushovd retained a split-second edge over Garmin-Cervelo teammate David Millar of Britain. Cadel Evans of Australia of BMC is third, 1 second back.

Defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain, who lost time Saturday after getting entangled in a crash, is 69th overall -- 1:42 back of the Norwegian leader.

Among other hopefuls for victory on the Champs-Elysees on July 24, 2010, runner-up Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, the leader of Leopard-Trek, is eighth overall, 4 seconds behind Hushovd.