Anthony Charteau Sunday became the first Frenchman to claim the yellow jersey after conquering stage three of the Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia, which saw racers ride up the popular Cameron Highlands.

It was an unexpected finish for Charteau, who is not considered to be among the more renowned climbers in the race and was to have set the pace for teammate and main rider, Francesco Bellotti.

But the Crédit Agricole rider made it all the way to the peak with almost four minutes to spare after completing the 133-kilometer stage from the town of Kuala Kangsar to Cameron Highlands in 3 hours 40 minutes and 45 seconds.

"At the end of the day, it's a very good result for the Crédit Agricole team," said Charteau at his post-race news conference. "My initial plan was to accompany the breakaway riders and wait for the team leader (Bellotti) at the top of the first climb. But I reached it with such a huge gap that it was out of the question for me to wait. I had to go for it."

Coming in second was Walter Pedraza of Selle Italia Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni.

Last year Saul Raisin, also from the French-based Crédit Agricole team, had won the stage at the cool holiday resort of Cameron Highlands.

"Although I'm not in the best shape yet, I'm also not a bad climber," Charteau said. "I'm not worried about the flat stages, that's something we know how to do at Crédit Agricole. With the advantage I have now, I have to think about the overall win but if I can't make it in Genting Highlands, Bellotti will be there. The gradients suit him really well."

However, Bellotti and teammate William Bonnet were later penalized 40 seconds and fined 33 Swiss Francs for sheltering behind a vehicle, causing them to be relegated to 25th and 26th position in Sunday's results.

Bellotti was reportedly suffering from diarrhea and had to make a stop halfway through the race.

Monday's fourth stage moves to Malaysia's east coast state of Kelantan, flagging off from the town of Gua Musang and ending at Kota Bahru.

The race, which began on February 2 in Langkawi, will end in the capital Kuala Lumpur on February 11.