After a less than ideal start to the season, Thor Hushovd (BMC) proved that he may find his best form in time for the classics when he finished 2nd behind John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) in yesterday's morning stage of the Tour Mediteraneen. Having felt strong on the final climb, the result was a nice confidence boost for the strong Norwegian.

Thor Hushovd hopes to leave two difficult and illness-plagued seasons behind him with another strong showing in 2014. Signs in the second half of 2013 were that there are still a few good years in the veteran Norwegian who won several races, including three at WorldTour level, at the end of last season.

However, the first part of 2014 has not been too encouraging for Hushovd. In his season debut in the Dubaii Tour, he was left behind in the only hilly stage and failed to make an impact in any of the sprints. In this week's Tour Mediteraneen, there has been little sign of improvement as he could only manage 15th in the first sprint and was dropped on the late climbs in stage 2.

In yesterday's very fast morning stage, there was finally some sign of life from Hushovd when he sprinted to second behind John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) who took his third stage win in a row. Hushovd said he felt good during the "short, nervous stage" that saw the peloton split into several groups at one point.

"The bunch was going really fast up the last climb, with 10 km to go, and I was there in the front, quite confident, feeling good on the climb," Hushovd said.

The reigning Norwegian national road champion said he tried to surprise Degenkolb in the sprint, which was into a headwind.

"I tried to jump him before he started his sprint," he said. "But he had the best legs, so he kind of controlled me. But I am happy I was second. I am there and the legs are starting to get better. So it looks good for the next several weeks."

Hushovd will next do the Tour du Haut Var before lining up in the first cobbled classic, Omloop Hei Nieuwsblad in two weeks time.