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Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen underlined his fast developing star status with trademark sprint victory in the third stage of the Tour of Britain.

Hagen, who last week confirmed he would ride next year in the colours of British Cycling's new Team Sky squad, powered to victory following a 153km Scottish borders stage between Peebles and Gretna Green.

Belgium's Thomas De Gendt, who was involved in a long breakaway during Saturday's first stage to York, was again active in the early stages.

Alongside Cervelo's Martin Reimer, he opened up an early lead on peloton, while the pair were later joined by Rob Ruygh and Darren Lapthorne.

The four steadily increased their advantage but the chasing pack maintained their resolve, despite a category two climb over Lime Kiln Edge midway through the stage.

The breakaway was caught with 15km to go before Agritubel's Emilien Berges, who was in time trial mode as the race swept into Gretna Green, made a solo bid for glory.

But Rabobank, protecting the yellow jersey of race leader Kai Reus, ruthlessly hunted him down and Hagen took advantage with a blistering finish.

The winner of the Gent-Wevelgem held off Italy's Michel Merlo and stage one winner Chris Sutton on the line, while Russell Downing's consistent week continued with a sixth place, the top home rider.

It was Hagen's fourth career win at the Tour of Britain - following a haul of three stages and the sprints title victory 12 months ago.

The 22-year old, ranked third in the world by the UCI, now sits second in the general classification, 11 seconds behind Reus, while Merlo maintains the blue points jersey and De Gendt controls both the mountains classification and sprints jerseys.

Bradley Wiggins had a disappointing day, finishing 51 seconds behind the 90-strong bunch finish, which included veteran Malcolm Elliott, who recovered from a tumble to finish safely but bruised in the peloton.

Tuesday's fourth day takes the race on a circuit of Lancashire, with a 151km stage that starts and finishes in Blackpool and includes the race's first category one climb, over the spiteful Waddington Fell in the Forest of Bowland.

More than the Games / Eurosport