Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale (open in new tab)) will compete in Sunday's "Paris - Adriatico" in Plaisir, near the French capital, after the Italian one-day race "Strade Bianche" and next week's stage race "Tirreno - Adriatico" were canceled. Nice" will be competed in.

"The decision by the general manager of AG2R La Mondiale not to participate in the Italian race is the most responsible one in light of the events of the last few weeks. Because we all have to be very alert and concerned about the international health situation," Bardet said Thursday on the team's website about the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

"I wanted to be part of the two races in Italy and both were very enjoyable.

Like the situation facing many of his colleagues on other teams, Bardet knows that with the cancellation of Strade Bianche on Saturday and the expected cancellation of Tirreno and Milano-San Remo (March 21), Paris-Nice will be a relatively important stepping stone to success in the second half of the season know that the Paris-Nice route will be a relatively important stepping stone to success in the second half of the season.

Bardet started the season well in the Tour Down Under in Australia, finishing second overall in the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var and 13th in last weekend's Drome Classic, but due to personal circumstances, he has yet to enter the season in earnest

"I am very happy to be here.

"We will definitely be an ambitious team in Paris-Nice," Bardet continued. 'Having finished fifth overall in 2019, we've made peace with this race, where we didn't always find much success.'

"I certainly don't have the same level of form or the same preparation as last year, largely due to a hectic two weeks with the birth of my son," he said, "but my recent performances are encouraging for the rest of the season."

"I will go in with the deep intention of working for the overall success of the team, which has many riders who can shine," Bardet said.

"Romain needs to race for his later goals," AG2R boss Vincent Lavene told L'Equipe on Thursday. 'The other Italian races are likely to be cancelled, but not yet confirmed.'

Paris-Nice, also known as the "mini Tour de France," is looking like a rehearsal for this summer's main event, with star riders all over the place now that Tirreno-Adriatico is likely to be canceled.

In addition to Balde, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma), Dečunink-Quickstep's Julian Alaphilippe, Tibor Pino (Grupama-FDJ), Nairo Quintana (Alcare Sumsic) and Wout Van Art (Jumbo Visma), And sprinter Elia Viviani (Cofidis), Caleb Yuan of Lot Soudal, Sam Bennett (Detunink-Quickstep), and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) will participate.

Absent from Team Ineos, UAE Team Emirates, Astana, CCC Team, and Mitchelton Scott are the teams that have chosen to withdraw from all the Italian spring races and Paris-Nice, so fans will be able to see next week at La Grand Boucle in June/July The team has chosen to pull out of the Italian spring race and all of Paris-Nice, so fans will not be able to see the riders battle next week at La Grand Boucle in June-July.

2020 Paris-Nice AG2R La Mondiale: Romain Bardet, Mickaël Scherer, Benoit Cosnefrois, Alexis Gujard, Pierre Latour, Oliver Naessen, Aurelien Palais-Pantre, Nance Peters