Pozzato led the field home after their ride from Bradford

He finished 32 seconds clear of Michael Rogers, with last year's winner Nick Nuyens third.

Martin Pedersen, who led after the first stage, finished fourth and he now holds the overall lead by 51 seconds from Luis Pasamontes.

World champion Tom Boonen finished 20 minutes behind the winner after crashing on the descent into Sheffield.

Overnight leader Mathew Goss crashed out as heavy rain hit the 112-mile stage, from Bradford to Sheffield.

It was a mixed day for overnight leader Goss, who earlier on Thursday signed a three-year contract to ride with CSC from 2007.

"I believe CSC offers me the best opportunity to develop as a professional cyclist and they also support my dream of riding for Australia on the track at the Beijing Olympic Games," said the 19-year-old Australian.

Stage three result:

1 Filippo Pozzato (It) QuickStep-Innergetic 4hrs 28mins 18secs
2 Michael Rogers (Aus) T-Mobile 4h28'50" at 32secs
3 Nick Nuyens (Bel) QuickStep-Innergetic same time
4 Martin Pedersen (Den) CSC same time
5 Johann Tschopp (Swi) Phonak same time

General classification:

1 Martin Pedersen (Den) CSC 12hrs 26mins 24secs
2 Luis Pasamontes (Sp) Unibet.com at 51secs
3 Filippo Pozzato (It) QuickStep-Innergetic at 2mins 11secs
4 Michael Rogers (Aus) T-Mobile at 2mins 46secs
5 Nick Nuyens (Bel) QuickStep-Innergetic at 2mins 47secs