The French cycling federation (FFC) confirmed on Monday that the 2012 edition of the Tour of the Mediterranean has been cancelled.
The race was due to have taken place over February 8-12 2012 in the south of France, but has been cancelled as "conditions of its inclusion in the 2012 race calendar had not been met," according to FFC. There have been unconfirmed reports that the race has had financial difficulties.
In recent years, the Tour of the Mediterranean has clashed with other early-season events such as the Tour of Qatar (February 5-10) and has not attracted the start list that it once did.
The race has been run annually since 1974 and has been the traditional season starter for many continental riders. Frenchman David Moncoutie (Cofidis) won the 2011 edition of the race.
Past winners include Jens Voigt (2005), Luis Leon Sanchez (2009), Paolo Bettini (2003), Laurent Jalabert (2000) and Eddy Merckx (1977).
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