Stage three: Sebarang JayaKuala Kangsar,103km

Australia's David McKenzie scored the Linda McCartney team's first success of 1999, with teammate Chris Newton second, when a leading pack of 29 riders went off course in the finishing straight.

As the bunch roared into the finish, the sprinters followed the race director's car and a TV motorcycle off the course.

Some quickly realised their mistake but were unable to turn around. Caught out were Fred Rodriguez (Mapei), Johan Capiot and Sergei Ouchakov (TVM) and 26 others. McKenzie and Newton made no such mistake, crossing the line first and second in a time of 2-17-47 for the 103 kilometres.

McKenzie said, "It's not the way to win a race, but I saw the 500-metres-to-go board and did not make a mistake. Chris [Newton worked hard for me. Those who went off course followed each other like sheep."

Britain's Colin Sturgess finished an excellent sixth, with team-mate Stuart Dangerfield in 12th. "Not bad for a tester," Dangerfield said afterwards. Graeme Millar (New Zealand) retained his overall lead.

1. David McKenzie (Australia) Linda McCartney 103km in 2-17-47
2. C. Newton (Linda McCartney)
3. R. Nocentini (Mapei)
4. G. Miller (New Zealand)
5. D. Trinne (Australia)
6. C. Sturgess (Great Britain)

Final GC
1. Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 46.56.18
2. Serguei Ivanov (Rus) TVM-Farm Frites 0.26
3. Allan Iacuone (Aus) Linda McCartney 2.27
4. Danny Jonasson (Den) Acceptcard Pro Cycling 2.34
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Saturn 2.55
6. Morten Sonne (Den) Acceptcard Pro Cycling 3.16
7. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Navigare-Gaerne 5.31
8. Uwe Peschel (Ger) Team Gerolsteiner 5.34
9. Czeslaw Lukaszewicz (Can) Canada 5.48
10. Uwe Ampler (Ger) Agro-Adler-Brandenburg 7.12

43. Chris Newton (GBr) Linda McCartney 31.38