Paris-Nice 2014 - Stage 3

The third stage of Paris-Nice took place on the 11th March, it was another flat sprinter's day, and was 180 kilometres from Toucy to Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. It was a completely flat stage that finished on a former Formula One circuit, so would favour a complete bunch sprint. A three man breakaway did try its hand however.

It was an all French affair, Romain Feillu (Bretagne-Seche Environnement), Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar) and Julien Fouchard of Cofidis were the members. They were kept quite close the entire day, with their lead only extending to around three minutes. It was a team effort in bringing back the break, with contributions from Astana, Sky, Omega Pharma-Quickstep and FDJ.fr.

The break was kept together until around ten kilometres to go, when Quemeneur decided to up the pace, which succeeded in getting rid of his two companions in the move. He was determined to continue, and reached the circuit around thirty seconds ahead of the peloton. The lead out trains started to form regardless, with Giant-Shimano being particularly impressive.

John Degenkolb managed to finish off the job for his team by winning the stage ahead of the Australian Matt Goss. He now leads the general classification after taking the ten second win bonus. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) took third place on the stage, but it was Moreno Hofland who laid third in the general classification.

Stage three was the last stage where a real sprinter would win the stage, the next few stages were likely to favour puncheurs and climbers as the general classification really hotted up. The next stage that awaited them was a 201.5 kilometre race from Nevers to Belleville.