The third stage of the Tour of Britain was won by Italian Elia Viviani, his second victory in this stage race.

In a stage with a flat part to begin with and a hilly second part six riders escaped the peloton: Downing, Kruopis, Farrar, Cronshaw, McEvoy and Bialoblocki. They had a comfortable lead of seven minutes but the peloton kept control of the situation. Etixx of GC leader Vakoc, Lotto Soudal, Sky and Cannondale led the chase. Three of the six escapees were dropped, but also the final attackers couldn’t hold off the peloton. Lotto Soudal was strong during the sprint preparation, but in the final phase it all went wrong. Jens Debusschere finished fifth.

“We started with the idea to sprint for the victory. André Greipel told he’d help with the sprint preparation for Jens Debusschere because he didn’t feel one hundred per cent but probably also because he wanted to give something back to Jens for all the work he has already done for him," sports director Bart Leysen said. "Actually, we rode a very strong race. We did our part of the job, took everyone to the last straight line in a good position, but I think Marcel Sieberg, as lead-out for Jens, didn’t have enough energy left when he had to take over from André, who of course has very much power in his legs. The speed went down and the other teams passed us by, so it was over for Jens. Nonetheless, I expect some more sprint opportunities in this Tour of Britain.”