World road champion Oscar Freire (Rabobank) claimed his second victory in as many days after winning the third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico Friday.

The 29-year-old Spanish sprinter had to dig deep after he struck a protruding railing in the final kilometer and had to fight his way out of the bunch before winning the sprint at the finish line.

Frenchman Laurent Brochard (Bouygues Telecom) had launched a brave sprint for the finish with 500 meters to go in the 228km race from Tivoli to Torricella Sicura, but the unstoppable Freire caught the 1997 world road race champion, who eventually finished second. German Danilo Hondo (Gerolsteiner) finished third.

American George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) crossed sixth in the same time as the top three.

Thanks to the sprint bonus, Freire, who is among the favorites for victory in the first one-day classic of the season, Milan-San Remo, next Saturday, added to his overall lead. He is now 10 seconds ahead of fellow sprinter Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo), who won the first stage here and who is also aiming to succeed in San Remo next week.

Petacchi could only finish in eighth place Friday as Freire roared to victory.

"I feel in very good form at the moment, much better than at this time last year," said Freire. "I hit a railing in the final kilometer, which meant I lost some time at the start of the sprint. If that hadn't happened I'm sure I would have won with a few seconds to spare."

Saturday's fourth stage is a 160km ride from Teramo to Servigliana.

Results
1. Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank, 5:52:07
2. Laurent Brochard (F), Bouygues Telecom, same time
3. Danilo Hondo (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
4. Emanuele Sella (I), Ceramica Panaria, s.t.
5. Mirco Lorenzetto (I), Domina Vacanze, s.t.
6. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, s.t.
7. Ruggero Marzoli (I), Acqua & Sapone, s.t.
8. Alessandro Petacchi (I), Fassa Bortolo, s.t.
9. Fabian Wegemann (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.
10. Fabrizio Guidi (I), Phonak, s.t.