'We're on the way back': Ineos takes first TTT win in five years at Paris-Nice

Ineos Grenadiers secured their first team time trial victory in five years at Paris-Nice, triumphing on stage three with a blistering performance over the 26.9km course around Auxerre. The British squad, featuring neo-pro Josh Tarling and veteran Laurens De Plus, clocked 31 minutes and 59 seconds, besting EF Education-EasyPost by 15 seconds and Lidl-Trek by 20 seconds. This win propelled Egan Bernal into fifth place overall, just 10 seconds behind new race leader Luke Plapp of Jayco AlUla.

This TTT win marks a significant moment for Ineos, a team that once dominated stage racing but has struggled for consistency and Grand Tour contention in recent years. Their last TTT victory was at the 2019 Tour de France, highlighting a prolonged drought in a discipline often indicative of a team's collective strength and cohesion. With young talents like Tarling and a revitalised Bernal, this performance signals a potential shift in their fortunes, suggesting a renewed focus on the technical and strategic elements crucial for overall classification ambitions.

While one TTT doesn't resurrect a dynasty, it certainly provides a much-needed morale boost and a tangible result for a team often scrutinised for its recent Grand Tour performances. Perhaps the old dog still has a few tricks, or at least a new leash.