'A good rehearsal for the Tour' – Paris-Nice team time trial to put teams through paces ahead of Tour de France TTT opener in Barcelona

Tuesday's Paris-Nice Stage 3 features a 23.5-kilometre team time trial, a significant event given its direct mirroring of the format slated for the Tour de France's opening TTT in Barcelona this July. Teams will race against the clock, with the time taken on the first rider across the line, rather than the traditional fourth or fifth. This format change, introduced last year, places a premium on lead-out expertise and the ability to keep a single strong rider protected to the finish.

This TTT holds particular weight as a critical dress rehearsal for the Grand Boucle. Last year's Tour saw the format debut, proving divisive but certainly impactful on the general classification from the outset. For teams like Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE Team Emirates, and Ineos Grenadiers, it's an invaluable opportunity to fine-tune their strategies, test equipment, and assess rider combinations under race conditions. The stakes are high, not just for the Paris-Nice yellow jersey, but for the psychological advantage heading into July.

Ultimately, this Paris-Nice TTT is less about outright victory and more about meticulous preparation. Expect a cautious, yet intensely focused, effort from the GC contenders, knowing every second gained or lost here could foreshadow July's opening gambit.