Stage 3 of Paris-Nice featured a pivotal 28.4-kilometer team time trial (TTT) from the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours to Nevers that was won by favorites Visma | Lease a Bike. Runner-ups were Team Jayco AlUla, who finished 14 seconds behind, followed by Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, who finished 24 seconds down in thrid place.
It was a crucial stage in shaping the general classification standings, as teams vied to demonstrate their collective strength against the clock and place their riders as high as possible in the GC rankings.
Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) now leads the overall GC, followed by teammate Jonas Vingegaard at 6 seconds, and Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla) at 21 seconds.
“I’m incredibly proud of the guys,” Jorgenson said afterward. “Everyone executed their role to perfection. I don’t take it for granted to be surrounded by six riders of such a high level. Jonas and I were guided perfectly toward the final climb. From there, it was up to us to finish the job. It feels amazing to take the win here. As a team, we spent a lot of time preparing for this time trial. It was all worth it.”
The 25-year-old Jorgenson, last year’s Paris-Nice champion, now leads the general classification by six seconds over his teammate Vingegaard. “I’m really looking forward to racing in yellow tomorrow. Last year I took the jersey in the final stage in Nice, but this time I’ll actually get to race in it. We’ll have to defend our lead in the coming days, but I’m confident our team is strong enough to do so.”
“We’ve had a very successful day,” added sports director Grischa Niermann. “We gained a lot of seconds on some key rivals, which gives us some breathing room for the days ahead. Of course, we’ll do everything we can to defend the jersey. There are still plenty of exciting stages coming up. We’re looking forward to fighting with Matteo and Jonas for another overall victory in Nice.”
The TTT commenced at the renowned Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, with teams navigating the racing circuit before proceeding through the town of Magny-Cours. The route continued to La Chaume des Pendus, where the first intermediate time check was recorded. Riders then crossed the Loire River into Nevers, confronting a challenging ascent on the Boulevard de la Pisserotte, featuring gradients reaching up to 11%. The final kilometers descended slightly into the heart of Nevers, culminating at the finish line.
Team Jumbo-Visma’s dominant performance not only secured the stage victory, but also propelled their riders to the forefront of the general classification. Matteo Jorgenson’s ascent to the yellow jersey underscores his consistent form and the team’s strategic prowess. Close behind, UAE Team Emirates and INEOS Grenadiers demonstrated formidable teamwork, positioning their leaders within striking distance as the race progresses.
The upcoming stages present varied profiles that will further test the peloton. Stage 4 introduces the first summit finish offering climbers an opportunity to challenge the current standings, with a number of category 3 climbs and a final category 1 climb (6.7km/7.1%). Teams will need to strategize meticulously to protect their GC leaders and exploit any weaknesses in their rivals.
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