VeloNews reported last night that Lance Armstrong abandoned Paris-Nice after Wednesday’s Stage 3 that ended in Craponne sur Arzon. The stage was originally slated to finish in Chambon sur Lignon but had to be shortened due to heavy snow as the course reached higher elevations. Armstrong completed 499 of 1,095 kilometers of the race.
The VeloNews article quotes Johan Bruyneel, Director Sportif of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. He reportedly said, “Lance woke up this morning with a sore throat and with the cold weather, he began to feel worse throughout the day.”
At the time he withdrew, Armstrong was in 62nd place, more than 1 minute 35 seconds seconds behind general classification leader Tom Boonen.