Cycling: The UAE Team Emirates won the team time trial at Paris – Nice. Captain Joao Almeida, among others, lost 55 seconds to Primoz Roglic from Bora – Hansgrohe. The new overall leader is his teammate Brandon McNulty.
UAE also benefits from the change in weather
After 31 minutes and 23 seconds, the time stopped for UAE Team Emirates. This meant the men in white were a whopping 15 seconds faster than Jayco – AlUla. The German racing team Bora – hansgrohe around Primois Roglic even lost 55 seconds. Also because they had a bit of bad luck in the 26,9 kilometer long team time trial with start and finish in Auxerre. The teams that started the race late were exposed to a rain shower that was supposed to make the road surface wet and therefore less fast. The new man in the yellow jersey is Brandon McNulty (UAE). The German can also be happy about the day's victory with his new team Nils Politt (UAE) together with the Austrian Felix Grossschartner (UAE).
Unusual team time trial at Paris – Nice
As in the previous year, the organizers of the Paris – Nice long-distance race have come up with a special rule for the team time trial. Unlike a normal time trial, each professional was given their own time. This also means that the first driver's time is decisive for the team's time. So we rarely saw several riders from one team cross the line in the last few meters. Most teams have started some kind of sprint for their captain.
UAE Team Emirates reported the chrono to the Paris-Nice team! The formation of Joao Almeida takes advantage of a route that has many advantages for the times. Primoz Roglic is the greatest perdant du jour, 33 seconds from the Evenepoel. #ParisNice ☀ pic.twitter.com/e4pYAW6Woa
— Depart Fictif (@DepartFictifOff) March 5, 2024