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
Photo gallery: Paris-Nice 2014 stage three
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
Photo gallery: Paris-Nice 2014, stage two
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)
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