Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) continued his fine season with a second consecutive stage win at his home race, the Tour of Norway.
The 27-year-old also retained the lead in the general classification after his Stage 2 sprint victory in Langesund.
Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge) took second place for the second time in as many days, while Andy Fenn (Sky) came third.
The day's breakaway, consisting of Angel Madrazo (Caja Rural-RGA), Pieter Jacobs (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise), Anders Skaarseth (Joker), Ole Forfang (Ringeriks-Kraft) and Vegard Bugge (Sparenbanken Sør), went clear after 30 kilometres and stayed away for almost the entire stage, only being caught with six kilometres to go.
With 35 kilometres remaining, the Roompot-Oranje team attempted to sort the peloton into echelons in order to minimise the impact of the fierce wind, but only succeeded in disrupting the chase.
But the bunch managed to re-organise themselves in time to make the catch, and when it came down to the bunch sprint, Kristoff was too strong for Ewan and Fenn.
The victor said: “We had a good lead out all the way here. Sven [-Erik Bystrøm] put me in a perfect position for the last k, Marco [Haller] was in the lead at 400 metres, then Jacopo [Guarnieri] started the sprint and at 150, so my turn came. At 70km/h, I thought it should be enough to win with no problem.
"I didn’t want to bring the breakaway back too close because I knew of the hard climb in the finale. It was quite controlled. In the end, many teams were interested in a sprint finish. I had it more under control today than yesterday.
“The next two days will be tough. The last stage is the same I won last year but it’s also a tough one so I don’t really expect to win it but there’s still a chance.”
The racing continues on Friday with the 185-kilometre Stage 3 from Skien to Rjukan.