BikeExchange-Jayco's youthful lead-out train led sprinter Kayden Groves to the podium and the best young rider jersey on the opening stage of the Tour of Oman.

Groves followed the two sprint stars to the finish of the windy uphill finish at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center with the best ride of the day. [In Oman, the field consisted of four under-23s in Kelland O'Brien, Kevin Colleoni, Alexander Konyshev, and Campbell Stewart, along with 25-year-old Callum Scottson and 34-year-old Cameron Meyer.

"It was really good. It was Campbell's first race today. He pulled away from me to Gaviria with 500 meters to go. It gave me the motivation to build a sprint team. With Dylan [Groenewegen] on the team, I think everyone's level has gone up.

"It would have been better if we had finished first or second, but I can't complain. But I can't complain. Everyone did really well in their first race, and third place and the Young Riders jersey is not a bad start to the week.

Bike Exchange Jayco, despite their lack of experience, provided the lead-out for Groves and stayed with the group at the front in the last kilometer until Gaviria and his lead-out man Max Richeze switched to UAE Team Emirates with 500m to go.

Groves said afterwards that the Australian team was one of the few teams to set up a sprint win in the finale and that he was pleased with the team's work ethic.

"There was a touch of wheels and a lot of noise. It's always fast and chaotic because you run pretty fresh after such an easy day," he said.

"I came up from the left side with a full team and with about 500 meters to go Richeze and Gaviria controlled the UAE. But apart from that, apart from us and the UAE, there wasn't a very organized team. So I think we did a really good job there.

"I got passed by a fast Cavendish with 100m to go, so he seems to be in pretty good shape, but Quick Step doesn't have (Michael) Morkov or the usual sprint teams, so I think we're even for the rest of the week.

Groves, who is in his third year as a professional and has three wins with this team, has a good chance to sprint in stage 2.

He said he feels he can take another win from this Tour of Oman given his performance on day one.

"I'm not unhappy with third place. I didn't use my best legs at the finish, so if I can ride more smoothly to the finish I am confident that I can use my good legs to win.