Elia Viviani claimed his first victory for Team Sky with an impressive sprint finish on stage two at the Dubai Tour.

The Italian came off the wheels of rivals Mark Cavendish and Andrea Guardini before accelerating to secure a comfortable victory in the spectacular surroundings of the Palm Jumeirah.

Team Sky worked hard in the closing stages to set up the sprint and hit the front with numbers to position Viviani. Bernhard Eisel drove the team into the closing stages during an intense battle with the rival sprint trains.

The victory followed two podium positions in 2015 for the 25-year-old sprinter, who made it third time lucky to elevate himself to second place overall. Viviani now sits two seconds behind stage one winner Cavendish (Etixx – Quick-Step), with Guardini (Astana) a further four seconds back.

“After two podium finishes I am really happy to take the victory today,” a happy Viviani told TeamSky.com.

“I think we now have such a strong team for the sprints. We have me, (Ben) Swifty and Andy (Fenn), but before that we have Bernie (Eisel) and G (Geraint Thomas). This is one of the best lead-out trains in the world.

“After yesterday we looked at the video and we analysed what we could do better and what we could change. Yesterday the wind came slightly from the left and we went on the left. We covered Cav but I had a 250-metre battle with him and I lost a direct fight.

“Today we took the lead with 5km to go with Bernie and G. It was a technical finale with some tricky corners. We took the lead but we knew it was early. Andy, me and Swifty moved back a little bit onto the Etixx – Quick-Step train and we waited for the right moment. With 350m to go Swifty went on the left side. When the other sprinters saw that they started to go and I was on Guardini’s wheel. When I saw the chance I went for it. It was a great victory.”  

The Italian also paid tribute to the team’s early-season form after what he hopes is the first of many victories.

“Today was a long stage – close to 200km – and I think it shows that we are in very good condition at this point of the season. After two podiums and winning the sprint today it’s really good.”

“Yesterday we were third, and after the stage we watched the video a few times to understand what we did wrong. Today was a little better with Swift in the last 500m, and I think this is the result.
 
 “In the first thing was for the team, in the sense that, after Team Cannondale closed down, Team Sky had faith in me. They trusted in my results, they believe in me, which is very important for me. You could see it in the teamwork that we’ve put into the first sprints I’ve taken part in for Team Sky. I’ve been in three sprints, and in all three I’ve been in a position to challenge for victory. The win has come in my third sprint, after two podium placings. It’s important for the future: it’s definitely been a good start, and I’m very happy to have been able to repay the team’s work for me. If, on the past, I’ve been in a position to win in three sprints out of 10, now I can try to win nine out of 10, that’s the big difference.
 
“I’m happy with my first 5 years as a pro. If you look at the numbers, I’ve won 30 races, this is number 31. I’ve won a stage at the Dauphiné, I’ve had good results in the Giro d’Italia, and a stage win in Beijing. In the World Tour, I’ve always had good placings, and I’ve shown myself in the classics. What I lack is a really big win, although I’ve come close at the Giro d’Italia. This year is a key year for me. I need to go up a level, and I hope it happens this year, with my change of team, new surroundings, new motivation, and the help of the team.

"Our leaders for tomorrow will be Thomas and Swift who are suited to uphill sprints. We do not know how tough the climb will be but we would expect our two cards to be up there.

"Going back to me, after Dubai I will focus on the track to collect valuable points for the Olympics and then I will go back to the road immediately. The first goal is Gent-Wevelgem, then it's Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro d 'Italia which represents the heart of my season."