The organiser of Paris-Nice has shortened today’s stage three due to an overnight snowfall.
Riders awoke to find the ground covered in a layer of snow, and although the covering could not be considered thick, race organiser ASO has elected to shift the start town by 53km along the stage route. The stage will now consist of 155km of racing.
Stage three was due to start in Saint Junien, but will now commence in Saint Yrieix-la-Perche at 1pm local time. The riders will therefore miss the first two categorised climbs of the day – the Côte des Cars (cat 3) and Côte de la Croix de Teulet (cat 3) – leaving them with four categorised climbs to navigate on the way to Aurillac.
The eight-day race finishes on Sunday, March 14, in Nice. Dutchman Lars Boom (Rabobank) currently leads overall.
Paris-Nice 2010: Stage reports
Stage two: William Bonnet wins in Limoges after chaotic finish
Stage one: Sky’s Henderson wins as wind splits bunch
Prologue: Boom beats the big names to win
Paris-Nice 2010: News, comment and analysis
Steegmans blown off bike during time trial
Paris-Nice 2010: The Big Preview
Paris-Nice 2010: Photo galleries
Stage one photo gallery by Graham Watson
Prologue photo gallery by Graham Watson