Cycling news – Max Schachmann triumphs on opening stage at Paris-Nice

Benoot (Bahrain McLaren) and Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quickstep) lit up the race after a difficult week for cycling, with their brilliant attack in driving rain and wind opening up a 45-second gap on a large chase group.

Alaphilippe noticeably struggled in the cold, cutting an uncomfortable figure despite his advantage, as the pair maintained their lead into the final five kilometres.

But they were eventually swallowed up by a wilting chase group featuring just Schachmann and Dylan Teuns (Team Sunweb) as two became four at the front, with the German rider proving the strongest in the final sprint.

Teuns and Benoot finished second and third respectively as Alaphilippe faded into fourth.

Earlier, Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) and Warren Barguil (Arkea–Samsic) were caught up in a nasty crash while trying to negotiate a roundabout. Bardet finished 2:42 behind the winner, while Barguil was later disqualified for drafting after nursing his wounded body to the finish.

The cycling season has been disrupted after the entire Italian racing calendar in March was postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, while several teams have withdrawn from all races until mid-March.

Fans were not allowed near the team buses at the start of the 154-kilometre stage around Plaisir, 30km west of Paris, and a maximum of two teams will be sharing hotels throughout the week-long race.

The pre-race news conference was cancelled and there was no post-stage press involvement apart from a brief broadcast interview with stage winner Maximilian Schachmann of Germany.

Riders have also been asked by organisers to avoid taking selfies with fans and giving autographs.