Michael Woods, left, did enough to beat Rafal Majka in stage three ©TirrenAdriatico

Canada’s Michael Woods has taken the overall lead at Tirreno-Adriatico after winning stage three in Saturnia.

The EF Pro Cycling rider attacked on the second ascent of the Muro del Pirata and began to pull clear of the rest on the steep slopes.

Poland’s Rafal Majka, of Bora–Hansgrohe, managed to close the gap only to be out-sprinted by Woods in the finale.

Team Sunweb’s Wilco Kelderman, of the Netherlands, finished third as he led a small group that finished 20 seconds behind the winner.

Woods’ victory sees him take the lead in the general classification, five seconds ahead of Majka, while Kelderman is 26 seconds further back, with Britain’s Geraint Thomas, of Ineos Grenadiers, sitting in fourth.

Woods said: "Amazing work by my team, they really pulled a lot for me. Great teamwork and I finished it, I am very happy.

"Teamwork makes the dreams work."

Tomorrow’s fourth stage comprises of three climbs before a downhill finale and marks the halfway point in the eight-stage race in Italy.

The competition is due to conclude on September 14 with a number of the world’s leading riders using the race as preparation for the rescheduled Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España.