2014 Trans Provence | Day Zero

Warm air and soft sun greets us as we land into Nice. Mountain weather can be quite the opposite mind, as previous years of the TP have prooved.

Rich Norgate, one of five TP Mountain Staff who 'do the dibbing' and keep the times in check all week. I've heard they'll dib you quicker if you buy them all a round of fine roast coffee.

The simple bare necessities in life.

We had the cost of the transfer trailers contents at more than the van towing it and on the narrow winding roads that the transfer went along, that was a lot of money to be swinging around.

The High Provence Alps are a welcome sight after a night of sleeping off the travel hours lost.

With Jerome Clementz and Nico Lau being separated by only 1 second over 5 days of racing last year, the dubbing in and out with these can play a big part to the stage times.

Joe Bowman, the man behind 'This Is Peaty' cruising his way into 4th place on the Prologue stage. Bearing one more chamois than he brought last year.

Canyon's Florian getting to grips with the first turn of the prologue stage.

Lars, a new face in the media team this year, pulling shapes between the trees as we wait for riders

Chris Porter, happy to be here, but even happier he doesn't have to take his shoes off to fit his knee pads.

South African pinner and all around top chap, Oliver Munnick getting colourful on some of the lower turns of the prologue stage.

Corner after corner, loam upon loam. The trail had plenty to keep you grinning on your way down.

Natural trails are often the best kind to ride. Even if their unpruned nature gives you a good whipping as you take flight through the tight turns

Not all racers are present throughout the Prologue as many will use the day to travel to camp. However those who are, having already had chance to bed in their bikes get the opportunity to make the vital adjustments before the racing kicks off on Day One