Paris-Nice Stage 4 Marred by Weather Chaos and Controversial Restart

Severe hailstorm halted the race for over 30 minutes, sparking criticism from riders over the decision to resume under dangerous conditions.

The fourth stage of Paris-Nice was disrupted by a severe hailstorm, forcing a 30-minute neutralization due to icy, unsafe roads.
Organizers faced backlash from riders, including Oliver Naesen and Jonas Vingegaard, for resuming the race despite freezing temperatures and safety concerns.
Multiple accidents occurred during the storm, including a team car and a police motorcycle sliding off the road, though no injuries were reported.
João Almeida emerged victorious in the stage, overtaking Vingegaard at the finish line, while Vingegaard took the yellow jersey but expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions.
Race director Thierry Gouvenou defended the decision to restart, citing a new protocol and improving weather, but riders argued they were not given enough time to provide input.