Juan Ayuso's predictions came true and today, in the third stage of Paris-Nice, the team time trial has clearly outlined the general classification. The Spaniard has donned the yellow jersey and is the leader in the general classification, but his joy is bittersweet, as the stage victory went to Ineos-Grenadiers.

"I think the feeling is more disappointment than happiness - said the Spaniard during the press conference -: we have the yellow jersey but we lost the stage by very little. The team did excellent work and we worked really well. We are truly motivated to achieve the final victory".

Lidl-Trek finished in second place with a deficit of just 2" from Ineos. Following in third was Decathlon at 11'27" and Visma-Lease a Bike at 15'76". "We thought we had really good chances today. So when you lose by such a small margin, just two seconds, then you can't really say you're happy".

Ayuso knows that his team worked well and therefore hoped to achieve victory in this team time trial. "I think all my teammates deserved to be first today. I also think that this time trial, with an eye to the future, was really important. I think it should be viewed in light of the Tour de France with the team time trial in Barcelona, and doing this type of race beforehand helps me with the team".

The Spaniard is racing his first season with Lidl-Trek and is getting along well with both his teammates and the staff. "There's excellent chemistry, really good, I think we raced very well on the course and this gives confidence for the Dauphiné and the whole team as well".

In the general classification Ayuso is first and behind him is Vauquelin at 2" and Onley at 3", both Ineos riders, while Vingegaard is down 17".

"Progress is the most important thing of the day and perhaps the fact that I already have an advantage of 17 seconds in the general classification over my direct rivals means having a good margin, especially in this race which is so hectic and you always want a bit more. You also have to consider that anything can happen and tomorrow for example we have bad weather with crosswinds and a difficult finish and everything could change".

Tomorrow the peloton will face the fourth stage, 195 km with 2,185 m of elevation gain from Bourges to Uchom and will encounter maximum gradients of 13.7%. It will be a demanding day and several things could happen during the race.

"On paper it might seem easier, but looking at tomorrow's weather, I think things could be really difficult. So yes, I think we have two really tough days ahead. Perhaps the sixth stage is the one a bit more suited to the sprinters, and then the last two days will also be very stressful and rather tough. So we need to be ready for anything".