The four-day French stage race La Méditerranéenne has been cancelled for 2017 due to a lack of security forces, organizers announced.
The race was reduced from four to two days in December, and was due to take place over February 11-12, comprising a road stage and a time trial.
“The organizing committee of La Méditerranéenne decided to not pursue administrative procedures, definitively canceling the 2017 edition,” the race posted on its Facebook page.
The absence of the French race widens the hole in the racing schedule in February that opened up after Tour of Qatar was cancelled. Several riders were going to use the race to kick off their 2017 seasons in Europe, including Romain Bardet (AG2R).
The race, previously known as Tour Méditerranéenne, was won by Andrei Grivko (Astana) in 2016. Previous winners of the race held since 1974 include famous champions, such as Eddy Merckx, Gianni Bugno, Paolo Bettini and Jens Voigt.
