Australia's Drapac team rider Will Clarke retained his overall lead in the Tour d'Azerbaijan after Friday's third stage won in a bunch sprint by Youcef Reguigui (MTN-Qhubeka).
Finishing safely in the bunch, Clarke benefited from the control his Drapac teammates had maintained on the peloton, with the day's breakaway steadily reeled in before the final kilometre on the 180km ride.
But his overall lead was reduced by two seconds to a margin of seven.
"Today was relatively easy compared to the last few days," said the 29-year-old in reference to an end to strong winds.
"The team did a great job of looking after me and keeping me in the lead."
Saturday's queen stage will no doubt be decisive in terms of the general classification with Clarke well aware he and his teammates will have a battle on their hands.
"Tomorrow will be tough but I'm looking forward to it," he said of the 115km fourth stage, which concludes with a 22km HC climb.
The race ends on Sunday.
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