Italian national champion Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) won the bunch sprint on the opening stage of the 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour on Thursday.
Nizzolo out-paced a host of top-tier sprint talent to earn the right to wear the race leader's jersey. John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) came home in second, with Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) in third.
British rider Chris Latham (Team Wiggins) placed fifth.
Nizzolo leads Degenkolb overall by four seconds overall thanks to his winner's time bonus, with Cavendish in third place at six seconds.
The day's break consisted of Jens Keukeleire (Orica-BikeExchange), Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange), Dion Smith (One Pro Cycling) and Gatis Smukulis (Astana). The four spent a fast-paced day out front in the Abu Dhabi desert before being reeled in with 7.3km to go to set up a bunch sprint.
The escape group featured two riders from Orica-BikeExchange, but was caught within the final 8km
(Image credit: Graham Watson)
A succession of teams then jostled for position at the front of the bunch, with the pace kept high to neutralise any attacks. Dimension Data, BMC, Giant-Alpecin and One Pro Cycling were all visible on the front in the final five kilometres.
Nizzolo led the sprint in the final straight and despite the formidable sprint firepower massing behind him, managed to take the victory and his seventh win of 2016.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Sky sprinter Elia Viviani and Lotto-Soudal fastman André Greipel failed to make the top 10, having been among the pre-stage favourites for the win.
The 2016 Abu Dhabi Tour continues on Friday with stage two from Abu Dhabi to Al Marina over 115km and is widely expected to finish in another bunch sprint. The four-day, UCI 2.HC race concludes on Sunday.
