LAUSANNE — Belgian Gianni Meersman won the third stage of the Tour of Romandie Friday following a 181-km ride around Payerne. The 27-year-old Omega Pharma rider beat Italian Francesco Gavazzi and Switzerland's Michael Albasini in a sprint finish. It was Meersman's second stage win in the tour after his success in Wednesday's first stage but Britain's Chris Froome still held the overall lead. He had won Tuesday's prologue. Froome is hoping to win the five-stage race, which concludes on Sunday, as he steps up his preparations for this summer's Tour de France. Two previous winners of this race, Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins, went on to win the Tour. — Agencies