Snow caused the third stage of the Paris-Nice race, led by Australian Michael Matthews, to be temporarily halted on Wednesday.
Weather made the 168km stage from Cusset to the finish in Beaujolais territory at Mont Brouilly dangerous for the riders, who were allowed to climb off their bikes and into team cars.
Organisers called a halt to proceedings at a feed zone 75km from the finish, although riders are likely to restart racing 42.5km from Mont Brouilly, where falling snow has also been reported.
Five riders — Alexey Lutsenko, Laurent Didier, Alexis Gougeard, Jesus Herrada and Thomas De Gendt — had a 3min 30sec lead on the peloton at the time of the neutralisation.
Should the race restart, they would begin with their advantage intact. –Â Agence France-Presse
