New Zealand track cycling star Sam Bewley reinforced his road credentials with a third stage win in the New Zealand Cycle Classic at Palmerston North as Australian Darren Lapthorne kept the overall lead.

Bewley, a Beijing Olympic medallist, put his track power to good use on Friday as he held off the challenge from breakaway companion Nick Lovegrove (Subway Pro Cycling) in the sprint for the line.

The stage result did not affect the overall leaders, with Lapthorne (Drapac) retaining a three-second advantage over countryman Jay McCarthy (Jayco-AIS).

The leading pair, along with Brodie Talbot (Expert Team), managed to break free from the peloton in the first 15km of the stage, a 155km loop from Palmerston North.

They quickly established themselves in a comfortable lead in the cold and wet conditions, remaining clear for the remainder of the stage.

“I didn’t plan on spending 140km out the front with only one or two other riders, but it just sort of worked out that way. I thought once I was in there I may as well commit to it,” Bewley said.

With the leading trio no threat to the yellow jersey, the peloton gave them free reign, as they established a seven-minute lead.

Talbot was dropped after 80km, with Bewley and Lovegrove working hard into the wind on the home stretch to shut out the stage in 3hr 52min 05sec.

The early margin proved costly for the peloton, which was unable to reel in the leading pair despite a powerful and frantic push into the strong winds, storming across the line just eight seconds behind Bewley and Lovegrove.

Saturday’s penultimate fourth stage is a 111km ride from Palmerston North through Bunnythorpe, Awahou and Ashurst.