Sam Bennett pipped on the line in Dauphine sprint finish

Sam Bennett was edged out in a sprint finish on the third stage of the Criterium Dauphine.

The Bora-Hansgrohe rider looked all set for victory in the 191km stage after a strong lead-out by team-mate and compatriot Ryan Mullen, with Bennett moving to the front with less than 300 metres remaining.

The Carrick-on-Suir man drifted towards the right, but it was the yellow jersey of Christophe Laporte who came with a final surge at the line to take stage victory for Jumbo Visma.

Bennett sits in second in the points classification, three points behind Laporte in green.

Having begun the day level on time with Julien Alaphilippe - Laporte was in yellow by virtue of the fact he had it after the first stage - he moves 11 seconds clear of his fellow countryman, with EF Educations-Easypost rider Richard Carapaz a further six seconds adrift.

Mullen finished 27th on the day after completing his role for Bennett.

Tomorrow's stage is a 31.1km time-trial from Cours to Belont-de-la-Loire, with the race concluding on Sunday with stage eight.