Mark Cavendish finished second behind Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) at the Tour of Oman in Muscat.

Cavendish, a Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl sprinter, was the fastest to the finish of the 138-km stage, but started behind his Colombian rival.

On the windy uphill finish of the first stage at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center, Cavendish overtook 23-year-old Australian rider Kayden Groves (Bike Exchange-Jayco).

Cavendish, who said before the race that he could not be sure of his form until he had raced against other sprinters in the race, said after the race that it was good to be back in competition after nearly four months since his last race at the British Championships in October.

"Going into the first race of the new season, you are never sure about your form," he said.

"I felt good throughout the stage and had some speed towards the end.

It was a promising start to the season, considering Cavendish suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung at Ghent Six Day in November, which delayed his training to recover.

In Oman, Cavendish will be joined not only by the team's peloton-leading sprint train of Michal Morkov and Tim DeClercq, but also GC leader Fausto Masnada, neo-pro Stan Van Trijdt, Iljo Keisse, Stein Stelz and newcomer Mauro Schmid.

Manxman acknowledged that he was among a group of riders who had not yet raced together much. But he added that the result of the first stage, and his good legs, are something he and his team can build on in the days ahead, including the chance for two more sprint finishes, including a second stage to Suhar Corniche on Friday.

"I'm confident I have good form, and with a group I haven't raced with yet, I hope to build on that over the next few days," he concluded.