Germany's Nikias Arndt won a sprint finish to claim the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphine in France on Tuesday as Britain's Chris Froome held onto the race lead.

Giant team rider Arndt, 22, crossed the finish line ahead of Belgian Kris Boeckmans and South African teammate Reinardt Janse van Rensburg after the 194-kilometer run under the sun.

Amid searing heat, a group fall after 65 kilometers resulted in the with­drawal of France's Jerome Coppel and Italian Giacomo Nizzolo.

Wednesday's fourth stage returns to the mountains covering 167.5 kilometers between Montelimar and Gap, with a finish on the summit of Col de Manse.