March 12, 2003 – Kazakh pro cyclist, Andrei Kivilev (Cofidis), has died as a result of injuries from a crash yesterday during the Paris-Nice stage race. Kivilev, famous for being the last rider to wear the yellow jersey of the breakaway that gained 35 minutes at the 2001 Tour de France (he eventually finished fourth), crashed in the last hour of the the stage. Kivilev remained in a coma Tuesday evening (March 11), and his condition worsened over the course of the night. The Cofidis team reported that he died on Wednesday morning, March 12, 2003, at 10 am. The peloton plans on riding today's stage slowly in support of Kivilev, his family, and his team.

Pedal wishes to extend sincere condolences to Kivilev's family and friends and the Cofidis team.