The flat 227 kilometrea stage, beginning in Gannat, was expected to conclude in a bunch sprint.

Tratnik was one of four breakaway riders who attempted to defy pre-race predictions on the longest stage of the International Cycling Union WorldTour event.

The group halved in size with 20km left of racing, with only Tratnik, riding for Team Bahrain Merida, and France’s Alexis Gougeard remaining ahead of the peloton.

Sprinter’s teams increased the pace as the finish approached, prompting Tratnik to push clear of Gougeard in a solo effort.

He was denied victory in the final metres, with Bonifazo sprinting past to claim the stage victory in a time of 5 hours 18 min 02sec.

The  Total Direct Energie rider was followed across the line by Spain’s Ivan Garcia Cortina and Slovakian star Peter Sagan.

Tranik ultimately finished in 13th place on the same time as the stage winner.

"It's very difficult, what the Italians are going through right now, so I'm happy to give them a little gift," said Bonifazio, referencing the lockdown in Italy amid the coronavirus crisis.

"It is especially a very important day for the team, Paris-Nice is a big goal for us.

"I worked well this winter, I only have eight days of racing behind me, but I am in good shape.

" went out to sprint at 200 metres and I managed to win, I'm very happy."

Germany’s Max Schachmann, representing Bora–Hansgrohe, remains in the overall race lead, with a cushion of 58 seconds to Denmark’s Soren Kragh Andersen.

Austria’s Felix Grossschartner is a further three seconds back in third.

Racing is due to continue tomorrow with a 161.5km stage from Sorgues to Apt, although doubts remain over whether the race will finish on Sunday (March 15) because of increasing restrictions imposed over the coronavirus.

The race has also been impacted by the outbreak of coronavirus, with organisers introducing measures to comply with the French Government's ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

Public access is being restricted at the start and end of each stage.