Australian star O'Connor out of Paris-Nice race

Australian cyclist Ben O'Connor, who came fourth in last year's Tour de France, will take no further part in the Paris-Nice due to a bout of flu, his AG2R Citroen team boss said on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old was lying 11th overall, 39 seconds adrift of overall leader Christophe Laporte ahead of Wednesday's fourth stage, a time-trial in Montlucon.

"He is feverish and his state of health is not good enough for him to continue in such a demanding race as the Paris-Nice," said team boss Vincent Lavenu.

"It is a blow, as since the start Ben had been in good form and had lofty ambitions for the overall standings."

O'Connor was later joined by another high profile withdrawal in the shape of two-time defending champion Maximilian Schachmann.

The 28-year-old German, who rides for the Bora team, had not sparkled in his defence of the crown as he lay in 47th spot overall, 2min 22sec off the pace.