Marcel Kittel emphasised his status as the world's best sprinter by winning the opening stage of the Tour of Britain in Liverpool.
The burly German beat Italian Nicola Ruffoni and home favourite Mark Cavendish to take victory on Sunday, with Australia's Heinrich Haussler among the chasing pack who finished with the same time.
Kittel continued his impressive form from July when he won four stages at the Tour de France, including the final one on the Champs Elysees.
Cavendish's failure to upset the German was little surprise given he has only recently come back to racing following shoulder surgery after suffering a separated shoulder on the opening stage of the Tour.
However, he had made a successful comeback from injury by winning the opening two stages of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes at the end of last month.
He won three stages at this event in each of the last two seasons.
Reigning champion Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour winner, finished safely in the pack.
Kittel's victory made him the first race leader with a one second advantage over Sonny Colbrelli of Italy and Ruffoni third at 4sec.
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