The Olympic champion finished the 102-mile mountainous leg in 3 hours, 58 minutes, 15 seconds after a cunning attack near the end. Spanish rider Joaquin Rodriguez and American cyclist Christopher Horner finished second and third, respectively, in the same time.

Spanish cyclist Jose Joaquin Rojas of Movistar had led after the first two stages but finished more than 16 minutes behind.

Sanchez, of Euskaltel-Euskadi, shares a time of 12:06:06 with Horner and Rodriguez in the overall standings but is ranked first based on stage placings.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.