Danish rider Anthon Charmig powered to victory in the third stage of the Tour of Oman on Saturday to take the overall lead from Mark Cavendish.

The Uno-X man beat Jan Hirt at the top of the short final climb at Qurayyat. The 23-year-old Charmig is now four seconds ahead of Czech Hirt at the top of the overall standings, with Portugal's Rui Costa eight seconds further back. Cavendish struggled on a difficult day for the sprinters, finishing 82nd on the stage to slip down the rankings.

Sunday's fourth and penultimate stage is a 119.5km ride from Al Sifah to Muscat.