The controversy over Paris-Nice and bad weather has just begun and will likely continue to be discussed in terms of safety and adverse weather until the end of the race, as rain and cold are expected again on Saturday. Among the riders who yesterday contested the jury's decision is Ilan Van Wilder, who would have liked to fight to win the fourth stage, but had to settle for eleventh place because he was exhausted by the cold.

The Belgian was taken to the Soudal-Quick Step bus completely covered, because like most riders, he suffered greatly from the cold. However, he did not just contest being forced to race in bad weather, but also the lack of information from the organization, to which he sent a clear message.

"We were stopped and didn't know why: no one came to tell us what was happening and suddenly we were told to get back on our bikes and start going, but no one knew where."

When 45 kilometers from the finish line, the group was stopped and only when the riders began to feel cold did they understand the reason for their stop. Gradually everything became clear to the riders and while their clothes were getting wet, their body temperature began to drop due to the moment of immobility.

"Everyone stopped to put on warm clothes and suddenly, out of nowhere we were told to restart. We pedaled for fifteen kilometers without knowing anything, we didn't know what would happen next". The road was icy and riders had many difficulties because their frozen hands couldn't grip the brakes. "We pedaled trying to understand something and no one from the organization came to talk to us or tell us what was happening. At the end of the descent we were stopped again and once again we didn't know the reason. We were all frozen."

Many riders went into hypothermia and with great difficulty reached the end of the race. Bad weather is again forecast for Saturday and Ilan Van Wilder has asked the organizers for more clarity. "Saturday there will be bad weather and I think the organization should start looking for an alternative. The weather can be predicted in advance and none of us want to see scenes like today again."