Michael Matthews took stage three of the Tour Down Under while fellow Australian Matthew Goss reclaimed the overall leader's jersey.

Rabobank's Matthews outsprinted defending champion Andre Greipel of Omega Pharma-Lotto and HTC-Highroad's Goss - who recovered from a late puncture - in an uphill finish to the 80-mile stage from Unley to Stirling in Adelaide.

RadioShack's Lance Armstrong rode well for the third day running, controlling the peloton and finishing in the main pack, three minutes 11 seconds behind the winner.

Armstrong's team-mate and overnight leader Robbie McEwen sustained a puncture late in the stage that saw the lead stripped off him, while sprint ace Mark Cavendish came home 13 minutes off the pace as he struggled with cuts and bruises sustained on stage two.

"My team did really well for me today and got me all the way to the finish," Matthews said of his stage win.

"I was about fifth wheel and I felt really good. I was a bit worried about Gossy because he's the fastest guy here.

"I managed to get on his wheel, which was a good wheel to be on, and I managed to pull out and hit the front with about 200 meters to go."

New leader Goss said: "It was a pretty tough day. It was 36 degrees and that takes its toll on everyone.

"Then I had a puncture with about 12km to go and had to chase back on. I was nearly gone when we got back on and I could barely hold on but I give the credit to my team-mates."

Stage 3 results:

1. Michael Matthews (Australia / Rabobank) 3h 11mins 47secs

2. Andre Greipel (Germany / Omega Pharma - Lotto) same time

3. Matthew Goss (Australia / HTC - Highroad)

4. Simon Gerrans (Australia / Team Sky)

5. Luke Roberts (Australia / Australia)

6. Francisco Ventoso (Spain / Movistar)

7. Gorka Izagirre (Spain / Euskaltel)

8. Allan Davis (Australia / Astana)

9. Blel Kadri (France / AG2R)

10. Simone Ponzi (Italy / Liquigas)

Overall standings:

1. Matthew Goss (Australia / HTC - Highroad) 9h 56mins 25secs

2. Andre Greipel (Germany / Omega Pharma - Lotto) +2"

3. Robbie McEwen (Australia / RadioShack) +4"

4. Michael Matthews (Australia / Rabobank)

5. Ben Swift (Britain / Team Sky)

6. Allan Davis (Australia / Astana) +14"

7. Francisco Ventoso (Spain / Movistar)

8. Manuele Mori (Italy / Lampre)

9. Alessandro Ballan (Italy / BMC Racing)

10. Greg Henderson (New Zealand / Team Sky)

Eurosport