Albasini solos away on cobbles to secure victory for HTC-Columbia

For the first time in six years the Tour of Britain headed into Wales, the home  of Olympic champion Geraint Thomas.

The remaining riders bravely battled the cobbles and rain for stage three: an epic 93 mile journey from Newtown in Powys to Swansea.

Braving their own colossal cobbled climb that has been a recurring feature of this seasons races, the rides ascended the well known Constitution Hill before a sprint finish in Kingsway saw HTC-Columbia lead by the German rider Tony Martin, who worked hard in the earlier breakaway, set up a fantastic win for their team mate Albasini.

The 29 year old Swiss rider soloed away up the 25% climb of cobbles, wet from the earlier heavy downpour, to take the stage and snatch the overal lead from Sky rider Greg Henderson having finished behind him on stage two.

Having earlier bridged the gap to a nine man breakaway thanks to the efforts of team mate Martin, Albasini looked fearless as he charged away leaving the breakaway for dust, and Garmin-Transitions rider Cameron Meyer, who had earlier failed in his attempts to steal away, unable to follow in pursuit of glory.

Today the race heads to the West Country as they make their way from Minehead in Somerset to Teignmouth in Devon where the victor may forgo the traditional champagne for a glass of the local cider.