The Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider clocked a winning time of 5 hours 44min 22sec on the 208km route from Stockton to Morgan Hill.

He finished seven minutes and 11 seconds ahead of both the United States' Benjamin King of Dimension Data and Germany’s Simon Geschke of CCC Team.

The peloton came in a further 36 seconds back, led by yesterday’s stage two winner Kasper Asgreen of Denmark. 

American Alex Hoehn had earlier broke away with Cavagna but ended up fading and was passed by King and Geschke with 3.5km remaining.

Cavagna, however, stayed strong and went onto claim the biggest victory of his career.

The US's Tejay van Garderen, who finished 31st today, remains the general classification leader with an overall time of 15:23:28.

Nearest challenger Gianni Moscon of Italy is six seconds behind, having ranked 13th today, while Asgreen is a further second back in third.

The Tour of California is due to continue tomorrow with a 214.5km fourth stage from Raceway Laguna Seca to Morro Bay.

Action is scheduled to conclude on Saturday (May 18) in Pasadena.