A second successive sprint finish was expected at the International Cycling Union WorldTour race, due to a flat 154 kilometre route from Vas Mall.

While a five-man breakaway group provided the attention for the first half of the race, crosswinds split the field after the halfway point.

Race leader Alexander Kristoff was among those caught out by the echelons in the peloton, leading to the Norwegian's UAE Team Emirates having to help chase the lead group.

Fellow sprinters Caleb Ewan of Australia and the German duo of Andre Greipel and Marcel Kittel all succeeded in making the front group.

The chase set up for a frantic conclusion to the race, but the leaders were ultimately unable to stay clear, with the peloton coming together again in the final 20km.

It ensured the expected sprint finish would unfold, with Viviani emerging as the winner in a time of 3 hours, 15min and 30sec.

The Quick-Step Floors rider was followed across the line by Danny van Poppel of The Netherlands and Germany's Pascal Ackermann, who were given the same time as the winner.

"I feel lucky to have Quick-Step for leading me out: three guys are able to accelerate at the same speed I sprint," said Vivani.

"Now I just have to stay focused on Fabio Sabatini's wheel.

"He knows when to make an effort, he's the best lead-out man in the world.

"With Max Richeze, we actually have the two best lead out men in the world, not just one."

The Italian has now assumed the race lead, but has the same time as Kristoff, who has dropped to second place.

A third consecutive sprinter friendly stage will follow tomorrow, before a 12.6km individual time trial on the penultimate day of racing.

The race, expanded by one day this year, will conclude on Sunday (February 25), with a climb up Jabel Hafeet.