- Owain Doull (GBR)
- Thomas De Gendt (NICE)
- Alexis Gougeard (FROM)
leading group- Owain Doull (GBR)
- Thomas De Gendt (NICE)
- Alexis Gougeard (FROM)
peloton
The 3rd stage of Paris-Nice is a bit of a copy of the opening stage, with a quiet run-up and a tough final. A few climbs offer opportunities for adventurers, with a sloping finish at the end in Dun-le-Palestel.
- 1 p.m. 28. Owain Doull. Since this season, Owain Doull is no longer recognizable by his Sky/Ineos jersey, but by the pink of EF. The Briton decided to sniff another air at the age of 28. In the Omloop he already made a decent turn. He was 16th. †
Owain Doull
Since this season, Owain Doull is no longer recognizable by his Sky/Ineos jersey, but by the pink of EF. The Briton decided to sniff another air at the age of 28. In the Omloop he already made a decent turn. He was 16th.
- Lead is declining. Slowly but surely the lead of De Gendt and co begins to crumble. From just over 5 minutes it is now only 4’50”. It will be difficult, an experience expert like Thomas De Gendt undoubtedly knows that too. . 13 hours 16.
Lead is declining
Slowly but surely the lead of De Gendt and co begins to crumble. From just over 5 minutes it is now only 4’50”.
It will be difficult, an experienced expert like Thomas De Gendt undoubtedly knows that too.
- 13h 05. Trek-Segafredo also runs. In the peloton, Alpecin-Fenix has been joined by Trek-Segafredo. Former world champion Mads Pedersen made it clear this morning that he was looking forward to it. “The finish goes up a bit, that has to suit me. The form is good.” †
Trek-Segafredo also rides
In the peloton, Alpecin-Fenix has been joined by Trek-Segafredo. Former world champion Mads Pedersen made it clear this morning that he was looking forward to it. “The finish goes up a bit, that has to suit me. The form is good.”
- 13 hours 04. Pedersen: “I like this finish”.
Pedersen: “I like this finish”
- 12 o’clock 59. Gougeard keeps trying. It is for the 3rd day in a row that Alexis Gougeard has jumped in the flight. “We are working together with De Gendt today, so you never know,” says his sports director Samuel Dumoulin about a possible stage victory. †
Gougeard keeps trying
It is for the 3rd day in a row that Alexis Gougeard has jumped in the flight. “We are working together with De Gendt today, so you never know,” says his sports director Samuel Dumoulin about a possible stage victory.
- Average speed. We were promised a headwind, but with an average of 45.2 km/h in the first hour, it will not be there. This way we’ll be in soon. † 12 hours 41.
Average speed
We were promised a headwind, but with an average of 45.2 km/h in the first hour, it will not be there. This way we’ll be in soon.
- Stable lead. 5 minutes seems to be the magical limit for the peloton, because the 3 front runners (De Gendt, Doull and Gougeard) have been hovering around that figure for a long time. † 12 hours 35.
Stable lead
5 minutes seems to be the magical limit for the peloton, because the 3 front runners (De Gendt, Doull and Gougeard) have been hovering around that figure for a long time.
- 12 hours 24.
- 12 noon. De Gendt with 2 stage wins in Paris-Nice. He has good memories of every stage race where Thomas De Gendt starts, because he has stolen a ride almost everywhere. In Paris-Nice we have to go back more than 10 years for that. In 2011, he was just ahead of a sprinting peloton in Houdan, a year later he performed a number in the penultimate stage, over the Col de Vence. He put number 2 Taaramäe at more than 6 minutes and the peloton at no less than 9 minutes. †
De Gendt with 2 stage wins in Paris-Nice
He has good memories of every stage race where Thomas De Gendt starts, because he has stolen a ride almost everywhere. In Paris-Nice we have to go back more than 10 years for that.
In 2011, he was just ahead of a sprinting peloton in Houdan, a year later he performed a number in the penultimate stage, over the Col de Vence. He put number 2 Taaramäe at more than 6 minutes and the peloton at no less than 9 minutes.
- 11 am 56. Alpecin-Fenix checks. In the peloton, Alpecin-Fenix has taken control. Without a top climber or time trialist, today may be the team’s last chance to score in this Paris-Nice, with Jasper Philipsen of course. The chase is not very fanatical yet: the difference is almost 5 minutes. †
Alpecin-Fenix checks
In the peloton, Alpecin-Fenix has taken control. Without a top climber or time trialist, today may be the team’s last chance to score in this Paris-Nice, with Jasper Philipsen of course.
The chase is not very fanatical yet: the difference is almost 5 minutes.
- 11 am 47. Van Aert: “Yet a deeper wound than first thought”.
Van Aert: “Yet a deeper wound than first thought”
- Time difference. In the peloton they obviously know the reputation of Thomas De Gendt, but the trio quickly gain a big lead: already more than 3 minutes. † 11 o’clock 40.
Time difference
In the peloton they obviously know the reputation of Thomas De Gendt, but the trio quickly gain a big lead: already more than 3 minutes.
- 11 hours 32. A De Gendt day? Thomas De Gendt in the attack, we like to see that! With Alexis Gougeard and Owain Doull he will also be accompanied by two experienced speed riders. In no time they have more than a minute head start. †
A De Gendt day?
Thomas De Gendt in the attack, we like to see that! With Alexis Gougeard and Owain Doull he will also be accompanied by two experienced speed riders. In no time they have more than a minute head start.
- 11 am 27. First attacks nipped in the bud. As soon as the race director’s flag had gone down, 6 riders jumped away, but they were quickly caught again. †
First attacks nipped in the bud
As soon as the race director’s flag had gone down, 6 riders jumped away, but they were quickly caught again.
- 11 am 18 match started
Start
One last wave to the folks in Vierzon and we’re off for the classic “warm-up lap”, which this time is 5.5 kilometers long.
A flat run-up to the final, without mountain points or intermediate sprints. The refugees may not be able to get much more than a little publicity today. It is also a headwind. Who is still a candidate?
- No Boivin. Still an extra task in this Paris-Nice. The Canadian Guillaume Boivin has to give up because of back pain. † 11 am 17.
No Boivin
Still an extra task in this Paris-Nice. The Canadian Guillaume Boivin has to give up because of back pain.
- 11 am 17.
- 11 am 10.
