Today's stage of the Paris-Nice was neutralised, and then abandoned, just under 100km into a slog through the snow of the Massif Central.
The ASO initially intended to restart the race 30km further down the road, but as snow continued to fall at the finish, the stage was eventually called off.
It marks the first time the UCI's Extreme Weather Protocol in the WorldTour, after it was used in the Clasic Almeria. The protocol is designed to prevent danger to riders, and accounts for freezing wind or rain, as well as snowfall and high speed winds.
Many riders said that the first stage should have seen the EWP used also, but that was self-evidently safely rideable, which today's stage was evidently not.
No time has been taken of today's stage, so Michael Matthews retains the yellow jersey for another day.
@GiantAlpecin
ASO director Christian Prudhomme
"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 from Julienas"
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