Claiming the runner-up spot for a second time behind Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), thereby marking himself out as the best of the also-rans, Elia Viviani (Cannondale) was gracious in acknowledging the current superiority of the “Manx Missile”.

“I can't have any regrets because even today I gave everything I had to do the best sprint possible,” he explained to Gazzetta dello Sport after the finish. “The stage may not have been demanding in terms of the profile, it was in terms of the management of the finale. All the sprinters wanted to be there and their teammates did everything to keep them in front. In contrast to the sprint in Naples, Cavendish was launched well: there was little anyone could do about that. To get second is never a consolation, but I got confirmation that I am there and I can fight for the win.”

Speaking about the points jersey, Viviani verified that it is a trophy he’d like to lay his hands upon, but also that he can’t let himself focus on that target at present.

“The Maglia Rossa? It is a dream that grows, but now it is too early to say. The first goal is to win a stage.”