Alex Howes (Cannonale) again found himself up againt close friend Kiel Reijnen in a sprint finish at a major American bike race when he was beaten into second in the first stage of the Tour of Utah.

“I figured he’d beat me on the first stage because he beat me in the first stage last year,” Howes said, referring to last year's opening stage of the USA Pro Challenge where he got his revenge in the final stage. “But I’ll get him again later in the race.

“There was a little climb that had a chicane before it. It just smelled good so I went for it.”