Peter Kennaugh conceded the overall lead at the Criterium du Dauphine as BMC Racing won the team time-trial to send Rohan Dennis to the top of the overall classification.
Manxman Kennaugh (Team Sky) held a two-second advantage after the opening two stages, with Dennis 12 seconds adrift, entering the 24.5-kilometres team test against the clock from Roanne to Montagny.
BMC Racing, the world team time-trial champions, won the stage in 29 minutes 58 seconds.
They were the only squad to dip beneath 30 minutes as Astana finished four seconds behind in second place.
Team Sky, who were the final team to take to the course due to Kennaugh leading overall, finished 35 seconds behind the winners in sixth.
American Tejay van Garderen is second, level on time with Dennis, while Kennaugh is now 23 seconds behind in 19th place.
Nicolas Roche heads the Irish contingent in 25th place, 35 seconds off the lead.
Wednesday's fourth stage of the traditional Tour de France warm-up, which finishes on Sunday, is the 228km route from Anneyron Porte de DromArdeche to Sisteron, which features three categorised climbs.
