Having recently come back from a broken collarbone, Giacomo Nizzolo did his first sprint since the accident on today's first stage of the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe and he came away with a great result as he finished 2nd behind Nacer Bouhanni. Despite having a few regrets about the sprint, the young Italian was happy to be back at the pointy end of the races.

The 197.2-kilometer stage from St-Jean-des-Monts to Saint-Gereon ended in a bunch sprint after FDJ.fr and Europcar controlled the first day. The race ended with seven circuits of 5.3 kilometers, and by the final loops it was evident it was going to be a day for the sprinters. Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr) was first across the line, with Nizzolo a close second.  Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) was third.

“I am happy because I am back with the sprint feeling  - with the adrenaline at the end - but on the other hand when you are second you are always thinking you were so close and you could win,” explained Giacomo Nizzolo after the finish. “The problem was there was a backwind and it was a little bit downhill so the speed was high and for me I needed a bigger gear.

"Like this, it is hard to overtake the guy who’s in the lead. In this case when you start the sprint you have more chance to hold it to the finish, and maybe with a little more headwind, I could overtake him and then win. But it’s okay - when I see back where I was one week ago I can say that I am happy now.”

An early three rider breakaway did little to disrupt the order of the day with the sprinters’ teams unwilling to allow the trio any chance of glory.

“FDJ and Europcar controlled the whole day - a breakaway of three guys - we did not have to do anything,” said director Alain Gallopin.  “Then at the end Giacomo had great help from Boy van Poppel. Giacomo was very strong, and it’s nice to see he’s back; there are a lot of sprinters here, the level is very high. To see him like this means we are looking good for the week. It’s a good result; I am happy for him.

"Of course he is a sprinter and when you are a sprinter you are never happy when you take second place – but for me, I’m happy. Tomorrow morning could be another possible sprint, and also more chances during the week, so it is good to see that Nizzolo is back on form.”

Tomorrow the race continues with a double race day, an 88-kilometer stage in the morning followed by a 6.8-kilometer time trial in the afternoon.