The weather on stage one of Paris-Nice looks a little challenging

Snow, rain, sleet, cold and wind - all ingredients for a fun day out on the bike for the riders at Paris-Nice

(Photo: Twitter/Etixx-Quick Step)

For a race nicknamed the 'Race to the Sun', there's a significant lack of sun on stage one of Paris-Nice, with riders battling snow, rain, sleet and cold.

The 198km between Condé-sur-Vesgre and Vendôme, south west of Paris, will feel a lot longer in the very wintry conditions, with the support crews in the team cars tweeting the miserable conditions.

>>> Pro’s-eye view of the 2016 Paris-Nice prologue (video)

The Paris-Nice twitter account tweeted this video of the snow pouring out of the sky ahead of the race.

https://vine.co/v/iXUdHZm6K5i

Etixx-Quick Step held a little competition - feel free to photoshop a sun in there to win...

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BMC went down a similar line of wordplay.

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Commentator Rob Hatch is at the finish line for Eurosport, but it looks like it's a pretty miserable place to be.

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Surprisingly there are some bare legs on show in the peloton. Knee warmers are a must, but several riders not covering their calves - perhaps that's why they're at the back.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.