John Degenkolb and Team Giant-Alpecin could only manage an 11th place on the third stage of Paris-Nice in what was the third bunch sprint in a row.

Degenkolb went into the stage sitting in third overall with just a two second deficit on the lead time, but it wasn’t to be today as Degenkolb couldn’t find the gap to come through in the final stages, and the win and race lead going to Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEDGE).

Two riders pulled clear after just nine kilometres of racing and started to build their advantage over the peloton. Over the next 50km several riders tried their luck at bridging over to the breakaway but none made it until Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) finally made the junction with an impressive solo chase, and with the added firepower the escape’s advantage grew to over five minutes with just over 50km to go.

It was this point where Team Giant-Alpecin’s Zico Waeytens started to help control the pace on the front of the peloton and to cut down the break’s lead. A strong ride from Waytens and the other riders working in the chase saw the gap fall quickly and be all but over with 10km to go. The close proximity of the break saw a few riders cross the gap but under the pressure of the team’s black, red and white jerseys in the final kilometres all was back together two kilometres out.

From here on in it was a fight for position, and one that the team lost out on with Degenkolb moving up late on to try and get a good wheel before the final turn but it wasn’t to be his day and as he crossed the line he was 11th on the day, slipping down a place to fourth overall.

After the stage, coach Christian Guiberteau gave his thoughts on the day, “We tried again today but once again today wasn’t the day for John at the finish. It wasn’t easy today, and when also keeping some energy to ride with Tom [Dumoulin] in the GC you’re left a bit short.

“When the break got to five minutes we put Zico up front to chase and he did a great job and was happy with his work, helping bring the break back in a good way. Then at the finish it was hard, and a few small mistakes and a tough final kilometre left us too far back at the end to really go for the sprint.

“Tomorrow will be a very different day and we will still have to see how Tom is feeling as he isn’t feeling in that good condition still here. Tomorrow will be a test for him and the other guys with the tough final climb but we’ll make a good plan to get in a good position by the time we reach it.”

Waeytens added: “Yeah that was a hard one today! I’m proud to work for the guys here and to learn in doing so. It’s great to be wearing the Giant-Alpecin jersey here for my first Paris-Nice and although we haven’t got the result we have been after in the past three days we will keep pushing to get there.”