Neo-professional Nicola Ruffoni (Bardiani) has got his career off to an excellent start in today's first stage of the Tour of Oman. The young Italian beat sprinters like Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ), Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), and Peter Sagan (Cannondale) to take a very impressive 3rd place in just his second race at the highest level.

Looking down the top 5 of the first stage of the Tour of Oman, it looks like a who's who in the world of sprinting. Andre Greipel, Leigh Howard, Nacer Bouhanni and Tom Boonen are all there but there is also room for one of the future sprinting stars.

Having made his professional debut in the recent Tour of Qatar where he sprinted to a 10th place on the final day in Doha, young Nicola Ruffoni managed to finish 3rd against this elite field in what is just his second race as a professional. The Bardiani rider was unfazed by the high level of competition and took his chance by opening a long sprint, holding onto 3rd at the end.

The result is an impressive one for Ruffoni who rode as a stagiaire with the team at the end of the 2013 season and who shares sprinting duties with Filippo Fortin in the Omani race. The youngster himself was no less surprised than the observers.

”I’m really happy with this podium among riders that I watched only on TV a few months ago," he said. "I knew that it would be hard to beat Greipel but I played my chance, trying to anticipate him. Unfortunately, he came back really fast in the last 50 meters and he passed me. On the finish line also Howard came past and I finished 3rd.

"Anyway, it is a great result for me, I want to thank my teammates who led me out really well. Now I hope to continue in this way during the next days."

Earlier in the stage, the Bardiani team had showed their colours with Nicola Boem who was part of the early breakaway and scored some points for the most aggressive rider competition. Sports director Roberto Reverberi was pleased with an excellent opening day.

”We have started this race in a great way," he said. First Boem went into the early breakaway and did a good work, then Ruffoni achieved a solid 3rd place by virtue of a smart sprint. Nicola is a young rider with a big talent and really fast in the final 100 meters. He did a good performance in the final stages of the Tour of Qatar so we were confident that he could improve here as he proved today."

Ruffoni will get another chance tomorrow on the second stage which again suits the sprinters. You can read our race preview here.