In a major surprise, Czech TT champ Fran Rabon (Columbia) took the stage win and assumed the overall leadership at the 29th Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia from his teammate, Kiwi sprinter Greg Henderson. Rabon rode to the win ahead of his teammate, World TT Champion Bert Grabsch by 19",
with former Vuelta a España champ, rockin' Russian Denis Menchov third.

Saturday's 156.1km Stage 4 is a difficult loop that starts & finishes in Alhama de Murcia features two first category climbs, with the Alto de la Perdiz halfway through the stage and the usually decisive Alto de Collado Bermejo 22km from the finish.

29th Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia
Spain, March 4-8, 2009  Friday, 6 March
Stage 3: San Pedro del Pinatar ITT 16km
1. Frantisek Rabon (Cze) Columbia / 16km
19'17" (49.78 km/hr. avg. speed)
2. Bert Grabsch (Ger) Columbia @ :19"
3. Dennis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank @ :25"     

29th Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia / General classification Stage 3
1. Frantisek Rabon (Cze) Columbia  7h33'21"
2. Bert Grabsch (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road @ :19"
3. Dennis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank @ :25"