After two frustrating second places in the first two stages, John Degenkolb finally took that elusive win when he powered clear of his rivals to take a dominant victory in the third stage. In the past two stages, the lead-out hadn't worked perfectly but today it was a textbook performance that earned lots of praise from the fast German.

John Degenkolb, wearing the green jersey of sprint leader has finally taken a stage victory at Paris – Nice after finishing second for the past two days. The Team Giant-Shimano train controlled the finish perfectly as the peloton raced around the finishing circuit on the Nevers Magny-Cours motor circuit, and set Degenkolv up perfectly to finish off the job in the final 200m.

Once Degenkolb opened up his sprint the stage win never looked in doubt.  As a result of the stage win, he moves into the overall race lead and will wear the yellow jersey on tomorrow’s fourth stage.

The race finally came back together with 3km to go as the Team Giant-Shimano train took control of the head of the peloton. Coming into the final bend, Degenkolb peeled off the wheel and unleashed his finishing sprint, and held off his challengers, punching his arms in the air and taking a well deserved victory, his first WorldTour win of the season.

Straight after the stage Degenkolb said: “That was unbelievable, everything worked out perfectly today. We tried twice already on the first two stages but each time it didn’t quite work out, but today it was spot on.

“We kept our nerve in the last few kilometres, taking control on the race circuit. We weren’t worried that the race wouldn’t come back together so we waited until the final few kilometres to hit it hard.

“I’m really happy that I can finally thank my teammates with this win after giving me complete support over the past few days.

"I tried two times and failed but today everything worked perfectly. Compared to the previous days, we were not too nervous because there was enough space to move out. Everything went really well. The other days, there was always something missing. I'm really happy to get this victory for my team because they supported me like always in a perfect way.

"Nobody in the world would ever want to give up a yellow jersey. It's a great satisfaction because it has a Tour de France flavor. We will try to defend it but we didn't come here for the GC but to win a stage and prepare for the classics because we're also a classic team.

"We're motor racing fans in Germany with Michael Schumacher and now Sebastian Vettel and it's a honour to win on such a track. I already won a stage on a circuit in the 2012 Vuelta and took the green jersey that day. It must bring me luck!"  

Coach Christian Guiberteau said after the stage: “Today was perfect and the victory is a great reward for how hard the guys have worked over the past three days.

“They got a few things wrong on the last two stages and we looked over these and worked out what to improve and today they got it just right, they communicated well, believed in each other and finished off the job. From tomorrow a new Paris – Nice starts, a much tougher race, but for now we will enjoy this victory and then make a plan in the morning.”

You can read our preview of tomorrow's stage here and follow our live coverage at 14.25 CET on CyclingQuotes.com/live.