Greig Leach

Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) had to dig very, very deep to keep Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) from taking the Maillot Jaune off of his shoulders. He succeed in that effort holding onto the final Yellow Jersey by 18 seconds. The effort cost him every last ounce of his strenght, even too exhausted to get off of the bike at the end of the stage. Schachmann becomes only the tenth rider in the 78 year history of Paris Nice to hold the lead from start to finish. Perhaps it would have been different with one more stage, but I doubt it. This will be the final painting of what may be the last race of the season. The Pandemic has stopped all racing officially until mid April, but it is doubtful that the world will be in a strong enough place to risk bring hundreds if not thousands of racers, teams and cycling fans back together. I have read that the Tour de France is looking at ways to keep the roads fan free as the finishing areas were made to be here. I can't see how that would be possible. One of professional cycling's greastest strengths is that it is on open roads, free to watch wherever fans and the course take it. I hope this all ends soon, and our lives regain a sense of normal, but that is months away. So I am sure the Giro d'Italia is gone for 2020, I will presume so too is the Tour de France, and as bad as things are in Spain I can't image there will be a Veulta d'Espania either. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay home!