Italy’s Davide Cimolai sprinted to a narrow victory on the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya in Spanish town Calella today ©Getty Images

Italy’s Davide Cimolai sprinted to a narrow victory on the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya in Spanish town Calella today.

The FDJ rider held off France’s Nacer Bouhanni, of Team Cofidis, clocking a time of 4 hours 28min 11sec to win the bunch sprint to the line.

Cimolai’s compatriot Kristian Sbaragli of Dimension Data came third in the 179-kilometre stage.

Victory for Cimolai was his second in as many years in the race and comes hot on the heels of him competing at the Milan-San Remo on Saturday (March 18).

"I didn't know how I would be - two days ago I did Milan-San Remo, a very long race," he was reported as saying by Cycling News.

"I like so much the racing in Spain for the weather, for the stages and this is my second win in Volta Catalunya and I’m very happy."

France's Nacer Bouhanni finished second today ©Getty Images
France's Nacer Bouhanni finished second today ©Getty Images

Great Britain’s Chris Froome and Spanish pair Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde all finished safely in the pack as they look to justify their standings as the favourites for victory in the seven-stage race.

Tomorrow’s stage is a 41.3km team time trial in Banyoles.

The Volta a Catalunya forms part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour.

This year's race is the 97th edition.