World champion Peter Sagan won stage three of the Tour de France on Monday after a dramatic late sprint.

The Slovakian’s foot came unclipped from his pedal as he started to accelerate 500m from the finish, but he showed great composure and skill to get it back in and beat Australia’s Michael Matthews.

‘At the end I did unclip, I don’t know why. I was thinking “whats going on?” Sagan said afterwards. ‘I was unlucky, but I managed to go again and I won, I’m delighted.’

Britain’s Geraint Thomas retained the yellow jersey, with Sky teammate and defending champion Chris Froome 12 seconds behind him.

‘There were no crashes, which was good, but it was a really hectic final,’ said Thomas. ‘I’m happy to get through unscathed.’

Stage three result:

1. Peter Sagan (Svk/Bora) 5hrs 07mins 19 secs
2. Michael Matthews (Aus/Team Sunweb) Same time
3. Dan Martin (Ire/Quick-Step Floors)
4. Greg van Avermaet (Bel/BMC Racing)
5. Alberto Bettiol (Ita/Cannondale-Drapac) +02secs
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra/FDJ) Same time
7. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana)
8. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky)
9. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky)
10. Rafal Majka (Pol/ Bora)

General classification after stage three:

1. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) 10hrs 00mins 31secs
2. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +12secs
3. Michael Matthews (Aus/Team Sunweb) Same time
4. Peter Sagan (Svk/Bora) +13secs
5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/Dimension Data) +16secs
6. Pierre Latour (Fra/AG2R) +25secs
7. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Quick-Step) +30secs
8. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol/Team Sky) +32secs
9. Tim Wellens (Bel/Lotto) Same time
10. Nikias Arndt (Ger/Team Sunweb) +34secs