OTLEY'S Lizzie Armitstead is leading the Ladies Tour of Qatar with just tomorrow's final stage to go.

The 26-year-old produced a fine performance to win the third stage after a sprint finish with Shelly Olds (Bigla) and Lucinda Brand (Rabo Liv Women)  to take the race leader's jersey.

Armitstead took the overall lead from team-mate Ellen van Dijk, who made the split but finished in 16th on the stage.

She now sits second, eight seconds behind Armitstead. Chloe Hosking (Wiggle Honda), who rode aggressively to claim both intermediate sprints, finished just outside of the time bonuses at the line and is now third at niene seconds.