Leader’s jersey for Chris

TEAM Sky rider Chris Froome moved into the lead of t h e Vu e l t a a Espana, with Vincenzo Nibali claiming victory, fo l l ow i n g ye s t e rd ay ’s mountain stage from Prades Conflent Canigo to Andorra la Vella.

Froome finished third after going on the attack over the final kilometres but was able to claim the red j ersey after taking bonus seconds for the intermediate sprint earlier during the course of the third stage.

Froome’s Team Sky colleagues had helped to push t he pace of t he peleton on during t he penultimate climb, the Coll de l a Rabassa, to haul back an eight-rider breakaway.

However, despite the best effor ts of the four-time Tour de France champ, the 158.5km stage ended in a sprint for the line as Froome and his four-man group were also then eventually reeled in ahead of the finish.

Italian Nibali emerged to claim the win for Bahrain-Merida, with David De La Cruz second for Quick-Step Floors.

H o w e v e r, a threesecond time bonus for Froome, aiming to become the first man to win the Tour de France and Vuelta in 39 years, saw him edge two seconds ahead of De La Cruz, Nicolas Roche and Tejay Van Garderen to move top of the general classification standings.

“It’s a great surprise but I think it’s the result of a lot of hard work today from my team-mates as well,” Froome said.

“They did a fantastic job on the final climb, Gianni Moscon especially. It’s his first Grand Tour with Team Sky. He was great today as were the rest of the guys.”

Chris Froome