Paris-Nice 2019: Bennet outsprints Ewan, Groenewegen still leader

Following two blustery days, the 3rd stage of Paris-Nice is played out on flat and exposed roads again. The storms have subsided a little, resulting in a calm race - yet, the finale is chaotic. Sam Bennett wins the sprint ahead of Caleb Ewan and young Fabio Jakobsen, while Dylan Groenewegen extends his GC-lead with at least one day. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage Paris-Nice 2019

1. Sam Bennett (irl)
2. Caleb Ewan (aus) s.t.
3. Fabio Jakobsen (nld) s.t.
4. Daniel McLay (usa) s.t.
5. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
6. Niccolò Bonifazio (ita) s.t.
7. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
8. Arnaud Démare (fra) s.t.
9. Dylan Groenewegen (nld) s.t.
10. Edward Theuns (bel) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Dylan Groenewegen (nld)
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) + 0.06
3. Luis León Sánchez (spa) + 0.11
4. Philippe Gilbert (bel) + 0.16
5. Egan Bernal (col) + 0.17
6. Matteo Trentin (ita) + 0.20
7. Tony Gallopin (fra) + 0.21
8. Rudy Molard (fra) + 0.23
9. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
10. Oliver Naesen (bel) 0.24

20. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.25
22. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
26. George Bennett (nzl) s.t.
28. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.
30. Bob Jungels (lux) + 0.35
34. Dylan Teuns (bel) + 1.12

Race report
The peloton stays bunched until kilometre 25, where GC riders seize the opportunity to fight for time bonuses in the first intermediate sprint. Kwiatkowski wins ahead of LL Sánchez and Gallopin.

Then things start to move. Thomas De Gendt, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Olivier Le Gac, Tim Declercq, Reto Hollenstein, Anthony Turgis, Kevin Reza and Ramunas Navardauskas open up a small gap, but they are brought back by Jumbo-Visma. Nauvardauskas pushes on alone, which suits the team of leader Groenewegen. His team mate Alessandro Fedelli joins the Lithuanian and with two they race to a lead of more than 5 minutes.

The duo is brought back with almost 40 kilometres remaining, while Kwiatkowski pockets 3 more seconds and Bernal 2 in the second intermediate sprint.

Rowe puts the hammer down inside the last 5 kilometres and the peloton splits, but it all comes together with 2 kilometres remaining. In the ensuing bunch sprint Sam Bennett outguns Caleb Ewan, while race leader Dylan Groenewegen lacks the power to score a hattrick. He retains the yellow jersey though.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage Paris-Nice 2019.