John Degenkolb wins stage three of Paris-Nice to take race lead

Giant-Shimano's fast finisher finally gets it right at the Mangy Cours circuit after two near misses.

John Degenkolb wins Stage 3 of the 2014 Paris-Nice
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

John Degenkolb moved into the race lead at Paris-Nice after winning stage three of the race at the Magny Cours circuit in Nevers today.

The German had finished second in the first two bunch sprints of this year's race, but comfortably crossed the line ahead of Matt Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) and Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar).

Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) started the day just two seconds behind FDJ.fr rider Nacer Bouhanni, and took the yellow jersey by virtue of the 10-second time bonus on the line.

"It's really unbelievable," he said. "Everything today was perfect. It came together - on the other days, there was something was missing. I'm really happy to get the victory for my team-mates, they supported me like always in a perfect way."

Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar), Julien Fouchard (Cofidis) and Romain Feillu (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) made up the day's breakaway, and the latter was the race leader on the road for large parts of the stage, having started the day 32 seconds off Bouhanni.

Quemeneur dropped the two others with 11km remaining, but was caught halfway round the Magny Cours circuit after a gallant attempt, which last hosted a Formula One round in 2008.

Giant controlled the peloton approaching the line, and gave their leader the perfect springboard from which he took his fourth win of the season - all of which have come in France.

Results
Paris-Nice 2014, stage three: Toucy to Nevers (Magny Cours circuit)
1. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant-Shimano 180km in 4-27-26

2. Matt Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge

3. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar

4. Borut Bozic (Slo) Astana

5. Tom Boonen (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step

6. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha

7. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ.fr

8. Thor Hushovd (Nor) BMC

9. Geert Steegman (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step

10. Moreno Hofland (Ned) Belkin all at st.

General classifcation after stage three
1. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant-Shimano in 13-14-01
2. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ.fr at 0-08

3. Moreno Hofland (Ned) Belkin at 0-12

4. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar at 0-18

5. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky at 0-21

6. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Europcar at 0-21

7. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha

8. Nikolay Trusov (Rus) Tinkoff-Saxo

9. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale

10. Marco Marcato (Ita) Cannondale all at st.

Twitter: @nickbull21

Geraint Thomas on stage three of the 2014 Paris-Nice

Geraint Thomas on stage three of the 2014 Paris-Nice

Steve Cummings and Adam Yates on stage three of 2014 Paris-Nice

Steve Cummings and Simon Yates on stage three of 2014 Paris-Nice
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Race leader Nacer Bouhanni in action during Stage 3 of the 2014 Paris-Nice

Race leader Nacer Bouhanni in action during Stage 3 of the 2014 Paris-Nice
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

John Degenkolb on the podium after winning Stage 3 and taking the overall lead of the 2014 Paris-Nice

John Degenkolb on the podium after winning Stage 3 and taking the overall lead of the 2014 Paris-Nice
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

 

Images from the third stage of 2014 Paris-Nice

Gianni Meersman given time penalty for drafting at Paris-Nice, doesn't start stage three

Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider Gianni Meersman withdraws from Paris-Nice after crashing on stage two and receiving time penalty and fine for

Images from the second day of Paris-Nice 2014, won by Moreno Hofland

Moreno Hofland wins stage two of Paris-Nice

Gianni Meersman receives time penalty for drafting team car on stage two of Paris-Nice

Nacer Bouhanni wins opening stage of Paris-Nice

French sprinter Nacer Bouhanni takes bunch finish on first stage of 2014 Paris-Nice

Paris-Nice 2014: Start list

Provisional roll call of riders taking to the start line of the 2014 edition of Paris-Nice (March 9-16)

Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.