On Tuesday, the 152 remaining riders in this Paris-Nice 2026 had an appointment with the team time trial. A delicate exercise that saw the Ineos Grenadiers team win. In the general classification, Spaniard Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) takes the yellow jersey.
The third stage of Paris-Nice delivered a tense team time trial between Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire and Pouilly-sur-Loire. The 23.5 km course, rolling and without major difficulty, offered a tight duel between Ineos Grenadiers and Lidl-Trek.
The British team posted the best time of the day. The gap remained slim, with less than three seconds ahead of Lidl-Trek. This margin was not enough to prevent Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) from taking the lead in the general classification. The Spanish rider benefits from his team’s collective time and his consistency since the start to take control.
Luke Lamperti wore the yellow jersey at the start from Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire following his inaugural victory. The hierarchy changed nonetheless at the end of this time trial, contested over a fast course that limits gaps between the favorites. Having lost nearly three minutes today, he logically surrendered his race leader’s jersey.
Kévin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenadiers) crossed the line in first position with his teammate Oscar Onley on his wheel. This finish allows him to climb to second place in the general classification, just two seconds behind Lidl-Trek. For the locals, Lenny Martinez limited the damage with his team today by losing only a minute in the standings. The racer from Cannes finds himself 34th at 1’06 in the general classification.
A situation that promises an open race ahead, with reduced gaps before the first difficulties that will arrive tomorrow. The fourth stage promises spectacle between Bourges and Uchon (195 km) and a final climb of 8 km at 4.5%. Now the climbers will have the opportunity to shine on this Paris-Nice.
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