PARIS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Liquigas rider Franco Pellizotti led Italian 1-2-3 finish in the second stage of Paris-Nice in Limoges Tuesday.

    Pellizotti thus takes the overall lead of the race from Britain's David Millar, who is now six seconds off the pace in second in the overall standings just ahead of Italian Daniele Bennati.

    The 29-year-old Italian, who finished among the top 10 in the race two years ago, sprung a decisive late attack on the tricky finale, pulling ahead of a small bunch of riders in the final 600 meters to come over the finish line on his own.

    Behind him Lampre sprinter Bennati, wearing the race's top sprinter's green jersey, finished second ahead of another Liquigasrider, Luca Paolini.

    Frenchman Thomas Voeckler was primed to hand the race hosts a second victory in as many days.

    The third stage on Wednesday will be raced over 215.5km between Limoges and Maurs-la-Jolie.