Britain’s Mark Cavendish was second on the first stage of the Aviva Tour of Britain on Sunday after being edged out in a sprint finish by Team Sky's Elia Viviani.
Cavendish was well positioned in the last kilometre from Beaumaris to Wrexham as he led Lotto Soudal's Andre Greipel round the final bend.
But Italian Viviani nipped through on his left side to take victory by the narrowest of margins.
"The line was just not coming quick enough," said Cavendish.
"I looked over, could sense Greipel there and I think I sensed too much of Greipel. If I'd kept the left hand shut maybe I would have got it, but I was too concerned with the right and Elia came through on the line."
An Post-Chain Reaction’s Conor Dunne, Madison Genesis’ Tom Stewart, JLT Condor’s Kristian House and One Pro Cycling’s Pete Williams had formed the breakaway and at one point it looked as if the quartet could hold on to the finish.
But they were hauled in with two kilometres remaining to set up the thrilling finish.
