Elia Viviani sprinted to third place at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne as Team Sky claimed another podium on the opening weekend of the classics.

The Italian came from deep in the pack and latched onto the wheel of race winner Mark Cavendish, but was unable to come around the Manxman (Etixx - Quick-Step) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) in the final metres.

The race hadn't always looked like ending in a bunch kick, with Viviani and Ian Stannard fighting to become part of a 20-man group that went away on the rough cobbles of the Oude-Kwaremont.

Cavendish and Kristoff were also present in the elite selection, but the race came back together with 34 kilometres to go ahead of two finishing circuits in Kortrijk.

Team Sky hit the front with numbers at 5km to go, with Luke Rowe acting as final lead-out man, battling to bring his team-mate closer with 500 metres to go.

After a gutsy sprint Viviani ran out of road at the line, while Cavendish replicated his 2012 victory for Team Sky as the opening weekend came to a close.

After taking two medals on the track in the recent world championships, Viviani emphatically showed he's had no issues transitioning back to the road.

Talking TeamSky.com through the race he said: "There was a lot of action on the Kwaremont and with me and Ian up front it was a good move. 

"I thought it would be okay if it went to the finish. Okay Cav and Kristoff were there but with 19 riders it is more simple if it ends in a sprint. When I saw the group coming back I knew we had to think only about the final sprint. We came to the front early with the whole team. It's a Belgian race on narrow roads so we thought maybe it's better to stay up front.

"We lost some positions in the last corner and I needed to come from behind. I made it to the sprint and when I got there I thought maybe I'd go straight away as there was just 150 metres to go. But I was on the wrong side because there was a lot of wind coming from the right. I came from behind so I had good speed but when Cav started his sprint he took some metres and in the final 50m I knew I was going to the finish line but not for the win."

Despite missing out Viviani is buoyed by his form and is looking for more opportunities in the coming weeks to get another sprint victory.

"I am really happy with my condition after two weeks on the track," he added. "The road legs are good. We did 200km today in a strong Belgian race. I really like this event and the Belgian races. I finished third and I came from 20 positions back. I think it bodes well for the coming weeks. I have a big focus on Tirreno and the sprints there before Gent-Wevelgem. I want to try and come back and beat Cav."