The storm after the calm: Groenewegen takes third in hectic finish to Paris-Nice stage two

Dylan Groenewegen negotiated his way through a technical and challenging finale of stage two of Paris-Nice to score his third stage race podium of the season.

Following the constant attacking that happened on the opening day of the race, Monday’s ride was a much more sedate affair. An early breakaway was reeled in by the determined peloton with still over 160 kilometres to the finish.

Team Jayco AlUla kept their cool in the bunch, rallying around Groenewegen to keep him safe for what looked like an inevitable sprint.

An unfortunate mechanical issue for his leadout man Luka Mezgec in the final kilometre meant that Groenewegen had to surf wheels through the peloton in the chaotic dash for the line. The Dutchman scythed his way to the front and rode to a solid third place finish.

The podium finish left Groenewegen wanting more with another chance coming for the fast men later in the week.

Dylan Groenewegen (3rd)

“We stayed, for a really long time, well together but then there was almost a crash in the bunch going into a corner with 10km to go as we went into the small roads. We lost each other a little bit but then we found each other with four kilometres to go. There was an important point with the roundabouts and that was where we found each other. That was really good. Mezgec brought me to the front really quickly, but his chain dropped off, so I was a bit stuck.

Now we are a little disappointed because we had a feeling more was possible today. You always need to believe in another chance this week so maybe stage five can be one. It will be a hard one, but we will try it again.”

Mathew Hayman (Sport Director)

“The stage was obviously planned for crosswinds and the weather that we’ve had the last four days in Paris (grey and raining), and surprisingly it was sunny and not a lot of wind. There are a lot of teams with sprinters and a lot of teams looking for the general classification with a team time trial on Tuesday so that led to the stage that became a bit of a procession.

“When you have a stage like that, it becomes really hectic in the final and there were a lot of fresh legs to do the last four kilometres. We were close there but we didn’t quite get the timing right going into the last 1.5 kilometres. Dylan is moving pretty well, though, and we have another sprint opportunity with Dylan later in the week. Going into the team time trial, I think we also have a solid team for that.”