Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) continued his run of good form early in the 2012 season as the Italian sprinter won the opening stage of the Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria today in Italy.

Daniele Colli (Team Type 1-Sanofi) claimed second in the bunch sprint, while Elia Favilli (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia) rounded out the top three.

With his stage victory, the Italian's third win of the season thus far, Viviani also earned the leader's jersey.

"Today I felt better than any day since the start of the season and when you have a super team at your side, the result can only be victory," said Viviani. "The racing in January is paying off and thanks to the training on the track, which kept me out of the cold and the snow, I'm enjoying a status that allows me to race to win.

"I feel so much confidence in myself and I was able to show that in my race today. Forty kilometres from the finish we took the risk of making the race very tough when in fact they had only to keep in check and ride easy to the finish. My teammates turned up the pace to avoid surprise attacks. In the end I just opened the throttle to win and repay their efforts."

The opening, 170.2km stage started quickly and the first successful attack occurred after 20km of racing as Victor Hugo Pena (Colombia-Coldeportes), Alessandro Bazzana (Team Type 1-Sanofi) and Aristide Ratti (Team Idea) went clear.

The trio's lead reached 2:05, but the escapees were absorbed after 72km due to the chase efforts of the Utensilnord Named squad.

Approximately 10km after the first break was neutralised, another escape formed containing Antonio Parrinello (Androni Giocattoli), Vegard Stake Laengen (Team Type 1-Sanofi), Rafael Andriato (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia), Gianluca Maggiore (Utensilnord Named) and Andrea Palini (Team Idea).

After 100km of racing the quintet's lead had extended to two minutes but the Liquigas-Cannondale and Colnago-CSF Inox teams at the head of the peloton kept the break's lead in check.

With 30km remaining it was once again gruppo compatto in the peloton, and despite escape attempts in the finale trying to catch the sprinters' teams off guard, the stage was set for the peloton's fast men to showcase their early season speed in Chiaravalle Centrale.

The Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria concludes on Sunday with a 191.6km stage from Lamezia Terme to Reggio Calabria.