Visma-Lease a Bike Secures Victory in Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Stage Three Team Time Trial

Teamwork Paves the Way to Victory: A Dress Rehearsal for Grand Tours

Jorgenson's Solo Sprint to Stage Glory

Matteo Jorgenson powered through the uphill finish at Perreux, propelling Visma-Lease a Bike to a decisive victory in the third stage team time trial of the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Their performance saw them cross the finish line 10 seconds ahead of rivals Netcompany-Ineos, a margin potentially influenced by Oscar Onley's dropped chain incident.

Crucial Gains for GC Contenders

EF Education-EasyPost secured third place, with French cyclist Alex Beaudin valiantly holding onto the yellow jersey by a mere 12 seconds after an impressive solo effort on the final ascent. This stage offered an exciting preview of the challenges awaiting teams at the Tour de France, which will commence in Barcelona with a similar team time trial format, focusing on individual rider timings rather than the entire squad.

The Joy of Collective Success

Reflecting on the win, Jorgenson expressed immense satisfaction, stating it was "seven times better than winning on your own." He cherished the rare opportunity for collective celebration in cycling, highlighting the unique bond forged through team time trials. Despite an imperfect race with early losses, including Wout van Aert's struggles and Ben Tulett's puncture, the team's ability to adapt and readjust proved pivotal.

Adapting to Adversity and Unwavering Support

Jorgenson praised his teammates' strength, particularly in the final 10-kilometer downhill stretch, which afforded him a "free ride" to the ultimate climb. This triumph is particularly meaningful for Jorgenson, who sustained a collarbone injury at Amstel Gold in April, marking a successful return to form and reaffirming his confidence for the remainder of the race, which concludes on June 14.

A Challenging Course: The Perreux Circuit

The race unfolded over a demanding 28.4-kilometer course centered around Perreux in the Loire region. The initial third of the route featured two long climbs, followed by a 12-kilometer descent leading to an 800-meter uphill sprint to the finish line. The varying terrain tested teams' endurance and strategic prowess.

Shifting Leads and Dramatic Finishes

Jayco-AlUla initially set a strong pace, exceeding 50 kph, but their benchmark was soon surpassed. Lidl-Trek and Decathlon CMA CGM demonstrated impressive performances, with Juan Ayuso and Paul Seixas leading their teams to strong finishes. The stage victory ultimately came down to a fierce contest between Netcompany-Ineos and Visma-Lease a Bike. Despite Netcompany-Ineos leading through both time checks, Visma-Lease a Bike's strategic adjustments and Jorgenson's powerful sprint secured their win, leaving Netcompany to contend with Oscar Onley's mechanical issues and Kévin Vauquelin's visible frustration. Meanwhile, Alex Beaudin's solo charge not only cemented EF Education-EasyPost's third-place finish but also allowed him to retain the coveted yellow jersey.

Stage Results: Top Performers

The final standings of the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes 2026, stage 3 TTT, showcased Visma-Lease a Bike's dominance:

1. Visma-Lease a Bike (Matteo Jorgenson), 28.4km in 32.52
2. Netcompany-Ineos (Oscar Onley, Kévin Vauquelin), +9s
3. EF Education-EasyPost (Alex Beaudin), +29s
4. Lidl-Trek (Juan Ayuso, Matthias Skjelmose), +32s
5. Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe (Daniel Martínez, Maxim van Gils), +40s
6. Decathlon CMA CGM (Paul Seixas) +45s
7. Movistar (Cian Uijtdebroeks, Diego Pescador), +52s
8. Jayco-AlUla (Michael Matthews), +54s
9. UAE Team Emirates-XRG (Isaac Del Toro), +1:01
10. Bahrain Victorious (Santiago Buitrago), +1:05