Paris-Nice stage three cancelled after 93km due to snow
By Matt Westby
Last Updated: 09/03/16 5:40pm
Stage three of Paris-Nice had to be cancelled with 75km remaining on Wednesday due to heavy snow.
The riders had completed 93km of the day's scheduled 168km distance when organisers decided the conditions had become too inclement to continue.
They initially announced racing would re-start 32km later, with riders to be transported in team cars, but the plan was later abandoned and the stage was called off.
The stage took place in the Rhone region of France and had been due to end with a hilltop finish on Mont Brouilly.
Race director Christian Prudhomme said: "The road was extremely slippery and the safety was no longer guaranteed. We are sorry. That's Paris-Nice. We promise we'll come back to Mont Brouilly. It's a pity but the riders will start again tomorrow."
The riders were tackling the third of the day's six categorised climbs, the Col des Echarmeaux, when racing was halted.
A five-man breakaway was up the road and will be allowed to keep the points they gained at the the first two climbs and an intermediate sprint, but all times were reset to what they had been at the start of the day.
It means Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) stays in the overall lead, with Britain's Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) remaining 19 seconds down in fifth.
Five riders abandoned on Wednesday, including 2012 world road race champion Philippe Gilbert.
The eight-day race will continue on Thursday with a rolling, 193.5km fourth stage from Julienas to Romans-sur-Isere.
General classification
1 Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge, 9:41:46
2 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin, +14sec
3 Patrick Bevin (NZ) Cannondale, +19
4 Ion Izagirre (Esp) Movistar, same time
5 Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky, st
