Rous takes lead

Jalabert wins third stage in Paris-Nice race

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) -- Pre-race favorite Laurent Jalabert won the third stage of the Paris-Nice on Wednesday, beating fellow Frenchman Didier Rous in a sprint at the end of a mountainous course.

Rous, riding for Bonjour, took the overall lead however, after the 147.5-kilometer (91.5-mile) course through the Massif Central range that began and ended in Saint-Etienne, in southeastern France.

He replaced Italian Alessandro Petacchi who was the race leader after the first two stages. After Wednesday's action, Rous leads Jalabert, of CSC Tiscali, by two seconds. Spaniard Javier Pascual is third, trailing Rous by 20 seconds.

Thursday's fourth stage is a 175 kilometer (108.5 mile) from Pertuis to Toulon.

 

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