The sixth stage of Paris-Nice was canceled on Friday due to heavy gusts of wind. Initially, the ride was shortened considerably, but the organization still finds the conditions too intense to race. The wind is also causing problems in the Tirreno-Adriatico, but to a much lesser extent.
Gusts of wind with speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour have been measured in Paris-Nice. First, the organization of the French stage race decided to neutralize the first 117.8 kilometers. As a result, another 79 kilometers would be raced.
For the sake of form, the peloton did start in the original starting place Tourves. After a few kilometers, the riders boarded buses, which would take them to the new starting place La Fontaine d’Aragon. Around 1 p.m. the news came that the entire stage will not take place.
ASO, organizer of Paris-Nice, hoped in vain that the weather conditions would improve. “Trees were blown down due to the exceptionally vicious wind. As a result, the sixth stage had to be cut short”, it says in a declaration.
Stage in Tirreno shortened by 3 kilometers due to wind
Paris-Nice continues on Saturday with a mountain stage of 142.9 kilometers, the queen stage. The peloton starts in Nice and heads towards Col de la Couillole. The French race will conclude on Sunday with a stage in Nice.
Tadej Pogacar is the leader in the general classification of Paris-Nice. The Slovenian is 6 seconds ahead of the Frenchman David Gaudu and 46 seconds ahead of his great rival Jonas Vingegaard, the leader of Jumbo-Visma.
The wind also plays a negative leading role in the Tirreno-Adriatico on Friday, although it has far fewer consequences for the Italian stage race. The fifth stage – a 168 kilometer queen stage – has been shortened by 3 kilometers due to wind at the finish.
In the Tirreno the ranking is led by Lennard Kämna. Primoz Roglic of Jumbo-Visma occupies second place, six seconds behind the German of BORA-hansgrohe. The finish is expected around 4 p.m.
