Salvatore Puccio in the mix at the Volta ao Algarve

Salvatore Puccio leads Team Sky home in sixth place on the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve.

Salvatore Puccio led Team Sky home in sixth place on the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve after Marcel Kittel had sprinted to a well-timed victory.

Puccio worked his way into the mix as the action reached a pulsating conclusion, but it was Kittel (Etixx - Quick-Step) who reigned supreme in Albufeira after holding off a late challenge from Andre Griepel (Lotto Soudal).

Puccio crossed the line one second later, with Sebastian Henao (25th) and Geraint Thomas (27th) both sitting pretty in a group of general classification contenders a further second adrift.

Those results ensured Kittel took control of the leader's jersey ahead of Greipel and the third-placed Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo).

The action got off to a fast start with the breakaway forming in the first 10km, and Domingos Gonçalves (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Alexandr Kolobnev (Gazprom-RusVelo) and Kamil Gradek (Verva ActiveJet) built up an eight-minute lead before there was any reaction back in the peloton.

It was Lotto Soudal who eventually assumed pacesetting duties, and with Etixx-QuickStep also lending a hand, that gap gradually tumbled as they traversed the rolling parcours.

Gradek wrapped up maximum points in the day's three intermediate sprints, but the trio's days were numbered as the lead out trains began to flex their muscles on the concluding circuit.

The nervousness in the bunch caused three late crashes, but Kittel avoided the carnage and timed his late kick to perfection to seal his fourth win of the season.

Rasch reaction

After the stage, Sports Director Gabriel Rasch was pleased to report a clean bill of health for Team Sky, and explained the decision to allow Puccio off the leash in the sprint.

He told us: "Everybody did a good job looking after Geraint today. They stayed together on that last circuit, which we knew would be dangerous with the road furniture.

"We then told Salva to go for the sprint because his high-placed finish gives us a better position in the team cars tomorrow, which is arguably the most important stage.

"A good position in the team cars is important because there are lots of small, twisty roads, and it means we can provide support quicker if any of our riders have mechanicals, need bottles or food etc. Things like that certainly make a difference.

"The plan will be to support Geraint again. He's in good form and motivated to defend his title here, and hopefully he can have a good ride."