Nicolas Portal's funeral will be held on Monday, March 9, and hundreds are expected to attend the religious service at Auche Cathedral near Toulouse in southern France. He will then be buried in Auch. He is survived by his wife Magaly and two young children.

Portal died of a heart attack at his home in Andorra on Tuesday. The likable Team Ineos director Sportif was only 40 years old, and his sudden passing was greatly moved.

"He was with me through the hard times and encouraged me whenever I doubted myself.

"He truly left a phenomenal legacy. I run in his memory and do my best to honor him and all that he taught me."

Geraint Thomas said, "Nico was so talented, warm, genuine, and always there when I needed him. He was more than a colleague, he was a friend."

"My thoughts are with his wife and children, whom he loved more than anything. I will never forget him dancing late into the night with his little daughter in Paris. He was too young. Nico, I will miss you.

Tao Geoghegan Hart explained why the portal was well liked.

"I never met anyone Nico didn't have time for. I've never met anyone who didn't think of Nico. He was a true inspiration. His energy, humility, and passion for life shone through."

Team Ineos has decided not to race until March 23 due to Portal's death and the ongoing coronavirus situation. A number of riders and staff from the team will attend the funeral on Monday.

Team Ineos director Dave Brailsford said, "We have made this decision given the unique situation we are facing. 'This is a supremely sad moment for the entire team. All of us have lost someone we loved very much and are grieving for Nico."

Brailsford said the team was grateful for all the condolence messages it received following the French driver's death.

"I want to thank all the messages we have received after the tragic news. The messages really meant a lot to us as we are trying to come to terms with this terrible news. Nico was invaluable to our team.

Nicholas Portal was born on April 23, 1979 in Auch, France; he died on March 3, 2020 in Andorra.