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Dramatic first day for Paris-Nice 2017

Wet & windy weather left some riders out in the cold

featured in News & reviews Author Pam Williamson, Nice Editor Updated

The weather on day one of the 2017 Paris-Nice cycle race certainly made for great racing and exciting watching but you can bet that the rain, sleet and wind gusts made for some very tricky cycling.

Known as the 'Race to the Sun', the 75th edition of this early season road cycling race, started in dramatic fashion with the wind splitting the peloton and leaving some of the hot favourites out in the cold.

The relatively flat circuit around Bois d'Arcy, 30km west of Paris, saw rain, sleet and gusts of wind that were strong enough to split the peloton. Twice Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was trapped behind Richie Porte and Roman Bardet when crosswinds hit and he now sits in 20th position, 1 minute 14 seconds behind stage winner and current leader Arnaud Démare.

French hopes were also dashed as pre-race favourite Romain Bardet was disqualified after being towed by his team car following a crash on the opening stage. Second overall in the 2016 Tour de France, Bardet fell off his bike with about 23km left and made his way back to a group of chasers by breaching the rules on team car assistance.

Among the favourites for the overall title, Ireland's Dan Martin and Colombian Sergio Henao are 19 seconds off the pace. Australian Ritchie Porte, winner in 2013 and 2015, lies 57 seconds behind Demare.

Their race to the sun continues today. They are due to arrive in Fayence on Friday 10th March, with the last two stages taking place in and around the city of Nice on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th March.