'Seven times better than winning alone' – Visma-Lease a Bike win Tour de France team time trial dress rehearsal on Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes stage 3

Visma-Lease a Bike claimed victory in the team time trial at stage three of the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, with Matteo Jorgenson sprinting solo to the uphill finish in Perreux. The Dutch team edged out Netcompany-Ineos by a mere ten seconds, a margin influenced by a crucial dropped chain suffered by Oscar Onley. EF Education-EasyPost rounded out the podium, with French rider Alex Beaudin maintaining the overall race lead after a determined solo effort on the final climb. The 28.4km course featured a challenging mix of terrain, including two significant climbs early on, followed by a fast descent and a steep 800-metre finish. Jayco-AlUla initially set a strong pace, but it was the later teams, particularly Visma-Lease a Bike and Netcompany-Ineos, who dominated the stage. Both squads faced setbacks: Visma lost Wout van Aert early on and suffered a puncture for Ben Tulett, while Netcompany’s Onley’s mechanical issue disrupted their rhythm and caused visible frustration among teammates. Jorgenson described the win as “seven times better than winning on your own,” emphasising the unique camaraderie and shared triumph of the team discipline. Despite the early problems, he praised his teammates’ resilience and strength, noting that the final downhill section was ridden at maximum speed. The victory marked a significant comeback for Jorgenson, who is recovering from a collarbone injury sustained earlier in the season and expressed optimism about his form heading into the remainder of the race. The stage served as a rehearsal for the upcoming Tour de France team time trial, which will feature a similar format with individual rider times rather than collective team results. This preview highlighted the tactical complexity and physical demands of the discipline, as well as the importance of team cohesion under pressure. With the race concluding on 14 June, the performances here set the tone for the battles to come, particularly for contenders like Beaudin, who retained the yellow jersey by a narrow margin.