PARIS-NICE FIRST STAGE PARTLY CANCELLED

Gale force winds, combined with heavy rain, have caused the first part of stage one of Paris-Nice from Amilly to Nevers to be partly cancelled. A complete cancellation of the stage is not out of the question.

The riders are currently being transferred by bus to Sancerre, 74 kilometres from the finish, where the stage will hopefully start at 1430 local time.

However, ASO have refused to rule out that the entire stage will be cancelled.

"We'll make a decision at Sancerre," ASO official Jean-Francois Pescheux commented. "We hope the race will go ahead."

Norwegian Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) is the current overall leader.

Bad weather has frequently affected Paris-Nice in the past. The most recent case - prior to Monday - was in 2005, when three stages were altered or shortened because of heavy snowfalls in central France. In 2004, the entire stage from Roanne to le Puy en Velay was cancelled.

Cycling Weekly's website will bring you updates on the stage later in the day.

PARIS-NICE 2008: STAGE REPORTS

Stage seven

Stage six

Stage five

Stage four

Stage three

Stage two

Stage one

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BLOG: PARIS-NICE

Day one