Australia’s Caleb Ewan won the third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico ©Getty Images

Australia’s Caleb Ewan won the third stage of cycling's Tirreno-Adriatico despite facing issues with his handlebars during the route.

Ewan, riding for Lotto–Soudal, completed the 170 kilometres course in a time of 4hrs 7mins 24secs with an average speed of 41.229 km/h.

He claimed victory in a sprint finish despite experiencing mechanical issues earlier in the stage, having to stop on multiple occasions to have his chain reattached and later switch bikes. 

"I’ve been coming to Tirreno-Adriatico for a few years now and I always had bad luck or maybe bad form," said Ewan. 

"It’s definitely a race I wanted to win at. 

"I’m super happy with how today went. 

"I had to use a lot of my team-mates with that late attack. 

"But I knew if I was on my own I had to use the right wheels. 

"I was behind Arnaud [Démare] and I went at the right moment. 

"I’m happy with how this year started and one of my big goals of the season is next week [Milan-Sanremo]."

Second place went for France’s Arnaud Démare, who currently rides for Groupama–FDJ, followed by Kooij Olav of Netherlands, riding for Jumbo-Visma, on third, with both riders given the same time as the winner.

Italian Filippo Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers, who had a great performance in the opening stage, continues to lead the general classification in this International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour event by 11 seconds from Belgium's Remco Evenepoel of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team.

In third place is Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates, three seconds behind Evenepoel.

Double world time-trial champion Ganna has led the general classification since the opening day, after winning the opening time-trial in a time of 15min 17sec.

The Tirreno-Adriatico is scheduled to continue tomorrow with a 202km course from Cascata delle Marmore to Bellante.