Cav Beaten in Sprint

Manx cyclist Mark Cavendish was beaten into fifth place as stage three of the Tour of California came down to a sprint finish.

Cav was effectively marked out of a realistic tilt at a win by other teams, as the riders went for the line on a very wet and slippery road.

Cavendish has moved up to 84th on the General Classification, 17th in the Points Race and 11th in the Young Rider class.

Today's fourth stage is 115 miles long and takes the racers into the Sierra Mountains - naturally it's hilly with four big climbs and therefore unlikely to lead to a bunch finish.

Riders will start at near sea level - the highest peak is just under 4000 feet.