The 23-year-old Orica-GreenEdge rider powered passed Garmin-Sharp's Martin 200 metres from the line to earn a 10-second bonus and take over the race lead from Spaniard Alejandro Valverde.

Martin was closely followed by Katusha's Joaquim Rodriguez with Belkin pair Wilco Kelderman and Paul Martens completing the top five in a bunched finish following the 198 kilometres trek from Cadiz, which saw the riders set off from the deck of aircraft carrier Don Juan Carlos.

After 13km a five-man break led by South African Jacques Van Rensburg opened a maximum lead of eight minutes, which was cut to just over two with 75km to go as the peloton, led by Movistar, began reeling in the leaders.

Spaniard Luis Mas Bonet, riding for Caja Rural launched a solo effort, but he and the rest of the breakaway group were caught 25km out as the field braced for the final run to the line.

Lotto-Belisol's Adam Hansen was next to launch an attack, building up a 22 second lead, but again he could not sustain it and was swallowed up by the pack with 8km left.

Katusha's Alexandr Kolobnev eeked out a small lead as the riders hit the final climb at 1.2km, but as the finishing line came into sight he was overhauled and it was Matthews with the most left in the tank to take the third Vuelta stage win of his career.

Michael Matthews timed his burst to the line to take the overall lead of the Vuelta on day three ©AFP/Getty Images



"We couldn't ask for more," said Matthews, who paid tribute to the work of his Orica-GreenEdge team mates in helping to set up the win.

"We went into the stage as one of the favourite teams.

"I had to burn my guys early to chase down the break.

"[It] wouldn't have been possible to win without them.

"Kolobnev attacked, but I didn't think we would catch him.

"It was up to me to get on Dan Martin's wheel.

"For me and the team, it was a 110 per cent effort.

"We delivered, just like we planned."

Matthews, who led this year's Giro d'Italia for six days, holds a four-second lead over Colombian Nairo Quintana in general classification, with fellow Movistar rider Valverde 11 seconds off the lead in third.

The Vuelta continues with tomorrow's 165km stage from Mairena del Alcor to Corduba.

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