LOSAIL, Qatar: Australia’s double world pursuit champion Michael Hepburn (Orica) won the Tour of Qatar’s third stage, a 10km time trial at the Losail motor circuit, ahead of Dutch rider Lars Bloom and Italy’s Danielle Benati, on Tuesday.

Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma) of the Netherlands came in fifth to stretch his lead in the overall standings.

Going into the final two days’ racing, Terpstra is 21 seconds up on Belgium’s Jurgen Boelnadts with Bloom at 24sec and Tom Boonen, his main rival, 28sec behind.

“It’s a good scenario for Niki, he’s in a favorable position and all the more so as our team is in good form and is doing well at defending the jersey,” said Omega Pharma sporting director Wilfried Peeters.

In Tuesday’s race agianst the clock, Hepburn set off 12th of the 150 riders and posted a time of 13 minutes 28 seconds, which was never bettered.

The gold medalist in individual and team pursuit at the world track championships in Minsk last year denied Bloom by one second with Benati a further five seconds back.

“This Tour of Qatar didn’t start well for me with two punctures and a fall. But this morning I was feeling really good,” said the rider from Brisbane.

“I controlled my effort well to put a lot of power into the second part.” Favorite to prevail at the circuit, which is home to the Qatar motorcycling Grand Prix was Fabian Cancellara, who had to settle for fourth.

The Swiss Trek team rider said: “The last three kilometers were very hard, clearly I was missing some strength.

“But I’m not worried, this is my seventh day of racing on the trot and it’s normal when you’re in the middle of preparing to have off days.

“It’s in April that you have to be ready.” Wednesday’s fourth and penultimate stage is a 135km ride from Dukhan to Mesaeeid.