The Paris-Nice stage will run through Saturday, but it was decided to end one day earlier than planned to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The final 113 km stage was scheduled to start and finish in Nice after a hilly circuit. However, ASO announced that the race would end on stage 7, from Nice to the mountain finish in Valdebreulle-la-Cormiane.

"After consultation with the relevant authorities, the International Cycling Union and the city of Nice, the Paris-Nice organizers have decided to make the seventh stage, finishing in Valdevore-la-Cormiane, the final stage," the ASO announced.

"This decision, taken as part of the fight against the spread of the coronavirus, means that the final stage in Nice has been cancelled.

Most riders and teams lined up for Friday's sixth stage. However, the Bahrain McLaren team did not start due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19 in France.

A Bora-Hansgrohe staff member was taken by ambulance to the hospital late Thursday night, but French doctors determined that his symptoms did not indicate that he was infected with the coronavirus and he was later released.

The German team said the staff member had been quarantined as a precautionary measure and that they were continuing to actively monitor the situation to ensure maximum safety for all involved.

"A decision has been taken to repatriate all team personnel home as soon as possible. Bahrain McLaren stated that "this precautionary measure is an urgent priority given the restrictions on movement across Europe and the health of all team members."

Bahrain McLaren's decision came after tense discussions between the teams, riders, and organizers.

According to Het Nieuwsblad, the CPA Riders Association expressed concern about the issue of continuing the race and the return of riders and team staff; 11 teams apparently voted to continue the race and five voted against, but it is unclear whether the race will continue. In the end, a compromise was reached to finish the race on Saturday, avoiding the final stage around Nice on Sunday.

Marc Madiot, team manager of Groupama-FDJ and head of the French Cycling Pro League, said: "I think it is good to continue. Don't panic. The president is not telling us to cancel everything, and if the prefect (of the local government) says it's okay to continue, then we don't have to cancel it. Nevertheless, if one of the riders says, 'I want to go home,' I won't oppose it."

However, the riders are concerned and unhappy about the Paris-Nice continuation. According to the local French newspaper Sud Ouest, one athlete who did not wish to be identified said: "Personally, I am happy to be able to race, but maybe it is not the right thing to do, as a matter of common sense and responsibility. I have quit all other sports. If I don't do this, I will look like a fool."