Hushovd holds off Cavendish to capture stage

ROLLA, Mo. -- Thor Hushovd of Norway won Wednesday's third stage of the Tour of Missouri, outsprinting the pack in the final meters.

Hushovd, of Cervelo Test Team, made the move after a series of short-lived breakaways late in the 114.3-mile road race from Farmington to Rolla.

J.J. Haedo of Saxo Bank finished second. Dario Cataldo of Quick Step was third.

Britain's Mark Cavendish, of Columbia-HTC, had won the first two stages but finished fifth Wednesday behind Daniel Oss.

"It's always good to be in yellow and first of all, I'm more happy to win a stage because of course it's confusing to get beaten by Cavendish every time, so I'm really happy to win," Hushovd said in a statement. "For me it was a perfect final, and all my teammates on Cervelo Test Team, they did a really great job,"

The third stage was considered one of the toughest in the weeklong race, with more than 6,000 feet of climbing.

Three riders broke away from the main pack about 5 miles in, creating a gap of almost 4 minutes at one point.

The race concludes Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.