Arnaud Démare thrills French crowd with victory on Paris-Nice stage one

Démare of FDJ was too strong in the closing stages with Ben Swift and fellow Frenchman Nacer Bouhanni finishing just behind.

“It’s a victory that I’ve waited a long time for,” said Démare, who endured a barren spell last season.

Michael Matthews of Green Edge - winner of the Prologue - continues to retain the overall lead, but admitted the 195km was a tough old ask despite favouring the sprinters towards the end with a few climbs and dirt road sections demanding maximum concentration from the riders biting cold conditions.

“I’m not afraid of extreme conditions,” said Australian Matthews.

“My team worked all day, and I found myself a bit isolated in the final lap. I had to keep an eye on the general classification guys.”

Tuesday's second stage is a 214km race between Contres and Commentry, and is likely to be another one for the sprinters.

1. Arnaud DEMARE, FDJ, in 4:29:53

2. Ben SWIFT, TEAM SKY, at :00

3. Nacer BOUHANNI, COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at :00

4. Adrien PETIT, DIRECT ENERGIE, at :00

5. Michael MATTHEWS, ORICA – GreenEDGE, at :00

6. Tom BOONEN, ETIXX – QUICK STEP, at :00

7. Sep VANMARCKE, TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO, at :00

8. Simon GESCHKE, TEAM GIANT – ALPECIN, at :00

9. Jonas VANGENECHTEN, IAM CYCLING, at :00

10. Geraint THOMAS, TEAM SKY, at :00

1. Michael MATTHEWS, ORICA – GreenEDGE, in 4:37:30

2. Tom DUMOULIN, TEAM GIANT – ALPECIN, at :03

3. Patrick BEVIN, CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING TEAM, at :04

4. Gorka IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, MOVISTAR TEAM, at :08

5. Geraint THOMAS, TEAM SKY, at :08

6. Lieuwe WESTRA, ASTANA PRO TEAM, at :09

7. Dries DEVENYNS, IAM CYCLING, at :10

8. Richie PORTE, BMC RACING TEAM, at :12

9. Arnaud DEMARE, FDJ, at :14

10. Wilco KELDERMAN, TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO, at :15