Kazakhstan’s Zulfia Zabirova won the third stage of the Tour de l'Aude on Monday, soloing in to victory at the end of 111km race around Corbi Lézignan-res.

High Road’s Judith Arndt continues to hold the overall lead in what has grown to be one of the world’s premiere stage races for women.

Zabirova beat Germany’s Angela Brodtka by 46 seconds, while Lithuanian Diana Ziliute led the main field in at 1:01. Arndt and her nearest competitors on GC - German Trixi Worrack and Britain’s Nicole Cooke – finished comfortably within the peloton to keep their top three places in the overall standings.

Stage 3, Tour de l’Aude
1. Zulfia Zabirova (KAZ), 111 km in 2:52:54
2. Angela Brodtka (GER), at 0:46
3. Diana Ziliute (LTU), at 1:01
4. Gina Grain (CAN), s.t.
5. Suzanne De Goede (NED), s.t.

Overall classification
1. Judith Arndt (GER) 06:49:55
2. Trixi Worrack (GER), at 0:12
3. Nicole Cooke (GBR), at 0:40
4. Susanne Ljungskog (SWE), at 0:53
5. Claudia Hausler (GER), at 0:56