Stage three of the Paris-Nice race introduces a fresh twist on the classic team time trial (TTT), promising an exciting and unpredictable challenge for the competitors. The 26.9km route around Auxerre will feature a unique timing system that could change the way teams approach this crucial race.
The TTT returns to Paris-Nice for the second consecutive year, marking the first time since 1993 that this event has been included in the “Race to the Sun.” However, this year’s race comes with a significant alteration: the time of the first rider to cross the finish line will determine the team’s overall time, as opposed to the usual format where the fourth rider’s finish marks the team’s time. This innovation means that each rider will receive an individual time, with each team’s general classification (GC) standings impacted by their first rider’s performance.
According to race organizers ASO, the change was driven by the terrain in Dampierre-en-Burly, which perfectly suited such an effort, and a desire to add an element of strategy. “Instead of relying on the third or fourth rider’s finish, the team’s time will be recorded based on the first rider across the line,” explained ASO. “This innovation aims to force teams to adopt a strategic approach, especially in leading out their GC contender during the final stretch, similar to team sprint events on the track. The new format is also designed to prevent any one team from dominating the GC standings.”
For Alex Dowsett, six-time British time trial champion, the change is a welcome one. “It’s brilliant,” Dowsett said. “The most efficient way to approach this will be to drop your GC rider off with around 500 meters to go. Whether they’ve taken turns along the way will depend on their strength and the tactics needed for the days ahead. If you have a rider like Jonas Vingegaard, who is strong in team time trials, he could contribute more for the team. But if your GC rider is a weaker time trialist, you’ll want to keep them protected as long as possible.”
Dan Martin, former member of Garmin’s successful TTT team, expects stage three to play out in two parts. “It’ll be interesting to see how teams strategize,” he said. “On a flat, technical course like this, the early part will look like a typical TTT, but toward the end, we might see teams adopt a lead-out train strategy to bring their GC contender to the line. It’s going to be a race to the finish, with plenty of sprinting in the final stretch.”
Dr. Michael Hutchinson of Cycling Weekly speculates that teams will likely ride conservatively at the beginning, only to ramp up the intensity toward the end. “I think we’ll see the TTT start out as a traditional race, but as the kilometers pass, we’ll see more riders dropped from the back. It’ll be fascinating to watch how teams handle it.”
Despite the uncertainty about tactics, all experts agree on one point: teams will likely adjust their strategies as they go. Dowsett anticipates that teams will allocate different finish points for their riders. “Up until 10 kilometers to go, it has to be a cohesive team time trial, but by the last 5 kilometers, teams might assign each rider a finish line,” he said.
Martin also expects teams to push their leaders into the final kilometers with a reduced number of riders. “If you isolate your leader too early, you’ll lose time,” he cautioned. “It’ll be a balancing act to get the timing right.”
One reason for the rule change is to prevent any one team from monopolizing the early stages of the race, as was seen last year with Jumbo-Visma maintaining the yellow jersey throughout the event. The new format aims to ensure that GC positions are more evenly distributed among teams, even if the strongest teams remain competitive. “While the new rules might level the playing field a bit, it still comes down to the strength of the riders,” said Martin. “If you have seven strong time trialists, you’ll still have an advantage.”
Hutchinson notes that the rule changes may affect teams like Jumbo-Visma, which typically has multiple GC options. “Under these new rules, a team could have multiple riders crossing the line and still maintain their position in the GC,” he explained.
Despite these strategic shifts, both Vingegaard and UAE Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogačar are expected to perform strongly on the course. The final kilometers will likely see many riders shed from the group, especially if Martin’s theory of the ideal TTT team of five holds true.
“The real spectacle will be in how riders manage their effort and egos,” Dowsett said. “Having multiple riders finishing at the front is a bit of a waste, but the final 10 kilometers should still provide some exciting action.”
For Martin, the key will be the ability to finish strong. “As a GC rider, you often find yourself just hanging on. But in this format, some riders might finish their effort earlier, leaving the team to push through without waiting for others.”
Even if the race ultimately resembles a traditional TTT, all eyes will be on Auxerre for this groundbreaking stage. With the innovative timing system in place, the stage promises to be one of the most interesting and unpredictable of the Paris-Nice race.
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