Jayco-AlUla without 'huge engine' Luke Durbridge but still secure second in Paris-Nice team time trial

COULANGES-LES-NEVERS, FRANCE - MARCH 11: Ben O’connor of Australia, Michael Hepburn of Australia, Michael Matthews of Australia, Kelland O’brien of Australia, Mauro Schmid of Switzerland, Max Walscheid of Germany and Team Jayco AlUla compete during the 83rd Paris - Nice 2025, Stage 3 a 28.4km team time trial stage from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Nevers / #UCIWT / on March 11, 2025 in Coulanges-les-Nevers, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images).

Jayco-AlUla may have lost one of their strongest riders in the discipline when Luke Durbridge crashed on stage 2 but even one man down the Australian squad walked away from Tuesday's team time trial at Paris-Nice with a second place that sets team leader, Ben O’Connor, up well for the days ahead.

The Australian team was second to set off in the stage 3 team time trial, shedding Michael Hepburn, Max Walscheid, team pursuit Olympic gold medallist Kelland O’Brien and Swiss road race champion Mauro Schmid along the 28.4km course to leave Michael Matthews and Ben O’Connor to lead the charge at the end of the stage 3 race against the clock.