The Berlin professional cyclist Simon Geschke has also dropped out of the long-distance Paris-Nice race due to illness.
The 35-year-old from Team Cofidis did not start the sixth stage over 213.6 kilometres from Courthézon to Aubagne. "I'm very disappointed to have to leave Paris-Nice today," Geschke wrote on Instagram. "I've been getting sick more and more over the last two days and have to listen to my body."
Due to a wave of colds, numerous riders had abandoned the race on the previous days - including the two German Bora-hansgrohe pros Nils Politt and last year's winner Maximilian Schachmann.
Frenchman Mathieu Burgaudeau celebrated the day's victory on the hilly course on Friday. The 23-year-old was the runaway winner, just ahead of the sprinting Mads Petersen from Denmark and the Belgian Wout Van Aert. The Slovenian top favourite Primoz Roglic continues to ride in the yellow jersey of the leader.
On the 7th stage on Saturday, the riders can expect a 155.2 kilometre stage from Nice to the difficult final climb on the Col de Turini. The traditional race ends on Sunday with a difficult final stage around Nice that is only 115.6 kilometres long.
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