Thor Hoshovd takes the stage three win as Cavendish looks on

Mark Cavendish was narrowly edged out of a first stage win on the Tour of California on Tuesday, crossing the line in fifth place.

The 23-year-old was heavily marked for stage three's sprint finish and could not make an impression.

Norway's Thor Hushovd won the rain-hit stage with Spaniard Oscar Freire second and Australia's Mark Renshaw third.

Cavendish now sits 84th in the general classification, 17th in the points race and 11th in the young rider class.

Wednesday's fourth stage is 115 miles long and takes the racers into the Sierra Mountains.

Top five after stage three, 18 February

• 1 USA Levi LEIPHEIMER AST 13.51'14" 00.00'00"

• 2 AUS Michael ROGERS THR 13.51'38" 00.00'24"

• 3 USA David ZABRISKIE GRM 13.51'42" 00.00'28"

• 4 USA Lance ARMSTRONG AST 13.51'44" 00.00'30"

• 5 USA Christopher HORNER AST 13.51'48" 00.00'34"

• 84 GBR Mark CAVENDISH THR 14.21'04" 00.29'50"

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