Lampre rider Gavazzi, who had finished third in the previous stage, edged a pack led by Freire on the same time after timing perfectly his final sprint through the streets of Amurrio. Peter Velits of Slovakia, riding for Columbia, finished third on the same time.

Gavazzi stopped the clock in 5 hours, 53 minutes, 40 seconds after a mountainous 187-kilometer (116-mile) stage from Viana to Amurrio.

Freire, of Rabobank, overtook Alejandro Valverde in the overall standings, finishing in 14 hours, 41 minutes, 30 seconds, two seconds ahead of the Caisse D'Epargne rider.

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada, riding for Garmin-Transitions, is third, 3 seconds behind.

“I've lost the overall lead but I'm ideally placed,” Valverde said. “Thursday's stage is going to be very important and many things could happen, however I think the time trial on Saturday is going to determine the winner of this tour.” Thursday's fourth stage is a 160-kilometer (99-mile), seven-peak mountain stage from Murgia to Arrate.