Intro:

Germany's John Degenkolb takes lead with stage win on the third day of the Dubai Tour on Friday (6th February).

Script:

For around five hours the cyclists battled - before the winner of the stage three, Germany's John Degenkolb, pedalled to the top of the overall standings at the Dubai Tour.

There was an early crash when a rogue carpet tripped up some of the peloton - Julien Vermote one of the casualties - after Mark Cavendish started the day top of the general classifications - but an incredible last brutal 200 metres and a 17 percent incline from the German saw him snatch the lead.

Degenkolb collapsed at the end but managed to recover some energy to accept his podium place.

Cavendish, not famed for his climbs, was anonymous in the final stages and relinquished the lead without a fight.

Degenkolb will be looking to keep hold of his lead in the 123-kilometre fourth and final stage.