Yonathan Rubio Salinas has taken the lead in the Vuelta al Tachira after winning the third stage on a circuit in San Cristobal.

Salinas who is a former winner of the Vuelta a Venezuela, came out on top when the race was decided in an uphill sprint that split the peloton. He held off former professional Yonathan Monsalve and Juan Murillo.

Stage 2 winner Jose Mendoza finished fifth in the same time as Salinas but lost the leader's jersey. Those two riders are now equal on time as they head into the flat fourth stage.