Ayuso, McNulty among 12 DNFs, Vingegaard surges into the overall lead with victory in brutal conditions.
Juan Ayuso crashes out of Paris-Nice while in the lead. (Photo: Getty Images)
Updated March 11, 2026 01:20PM
Jonas Vingegaard climbed into the Paris-Nice lead in a disaster day for Juan Ayuso and Ineos Grenadiers.
Brutal cold and rain triggered a wave of crashes, including a high-speed crash involving overnight leader Ayuso with about 45km to go in Wednesday’s third stage.
The Spanish rider collapsed on the ground in pain after remounting his bike in a fall with about 45km to go in the first mountaintop finale at the French stage race.
Ineos Grenadiers riders Oscar Onley and Kevin Vauquelin were distanced earlier in the stage, unable to capitalize on gains after nudging into the top 3 with Tuesday’s TTT win.
Vingegaard avoided the traps and jumped with 1km to go on the first uphill finale of the “Race to the Sun” was anything but.
“I am incredibly happy and proud to have won a stage like this. This was probably one of the hardest-fought victories of my career,” he said.
“It was full gas right from the start. The conditions didn’t help. I think a lot of people were very cold, but luckily that didn’t bother me. I had chosen to wear a lot of clothes and that was a good decision.”
The Dane doubled up, winning the stage and slipping into the leader’s jersey in a stage that blew up the French stage race to open his 2026 account with a bang.
12 riders DNF in brutal conditions
Vingegaard survived horrendous conditions to win the stage and take yellow. (Photo: Getty Images)
Behind Vingegaard, the peloton was left in tatters.
Ayuso was grimacing in pain and clutching his left side. He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, officials said.
“Fortunately, X-rays performed at the hospital in France did not reveal any fractures for Ayuso. A further clinical assessment performed by the team doctor on-site at the team hotel has also ruled out any other serious injuries,” team officials said.
It’s another setback for Lidl-Trek, which also lost classics star Mads Pedersen to injury earlier this season.
Ayuso started in the yellow leader’s jersey, leading Vingegaard by 17 seconds going into the decisive stage.
Other riders crashed out, including Brandon McNulty, in a cold, messy stage. In total, 12 racers did not make it to the line.