Tinkoff-Saxo’s Matti Breschel was in the mix in the sprint finish at Paris-Nice featuring a steep section within the last kilometer. Both Breschel and sports director Sean Yates noted that they were pleased with the team performance after crossing the line.
 
Tinkoff-Saxo had given Matti Breschel free rein to try his chances in the tricky stage finish. The Dane finished 6th behind stage winner Michael Matthews and acknowledged the fact that he had given his best.
 
“It was a hectic sprint today, where the road kicked up with 400 meters to go before it flattened around the last bend. I was among the first ten riders to exit the corner before the finishing straight, which showed that I had some power on the short hill. Then I found myself on the wheel of Kristoff and I tried to catapult myself forward in the turn but it was hard to gain positions on the final meters”, says Matti Breschel.
 
Stage 3 featured 179 lumpy kilometers to Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule. After 74km of riding a trio formed out in front, which ultimately started crumbling with 20km to the finish line. In the finale, the riders had to tackle a short 200m climb of more than 10% just before the finishing straight, which meant that several puncheurs joined the fight for the stage win. Ultimately it was Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge), who beat Davide Cimolai (Lampre-Merida) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek) on the line with Matti Breschel just behind in sixth place.

 Tinkoff-Saxo’s leading directeur sportif at Paris-Nice, Sean Yates, stated that the pace and intensity had picked up after a slow start to Paris-Nice.

“The stage today was definitely faster than the previous two days, but the terrain was also more undulating. The guys rode well and protected Rafal Majka throughout the stage. Rafal told that he was very satisfied with the support he got from his teammates, as he wasn’t exposed to the wind at a single point during the stage. I’m, of course, pleased to hear this”, comments Sean Yates, who adds that Breschel’s performance didn’t go unnoticed.

“Matti’s performance today confirms that he’s getting into a strong shape and that he definitely has some punch in the legs. He crossed the line before the likes of Degenkolb, Bouhanni and Demare, which shows that he can fight for the win on stages like this and it’s also a good confirmation before the next month of racing”.

Tomorrow sees the riders enter totally different terrain, as they have to face the mountains of Massif Central with stage 4 ending atop a 10km-finishing climb to Croix de Chaubouret.