Matteo Moschetti (Trek-Segafredo), who showed great composure in the turbulent last 2km of stage 4 of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, had a clear path to victory on Saturday, becoming the first young Italian sprinter to win a 2022 victory.

With compatriot Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) and stage 2 winner Fabio Jacobsen (Quick-Step Alfabinil) looking to win, the 25-year-old Italian was the favorite to win Valenciana's second sprint finish in three days. Although he was not one of them, Moschetti took his chances.

A crash on a steep right-hand corner with 1.5km to go disrupted the sprinters' line, causing teammates Marc Burstenga and Markus Hoelgaard to crash.

With 200 meters to go, the crash created extra turbulence and Moschetti accelerated alone along the barriers despite the lack of leadout.

Seconds later, the Trek-Segafredo rider struck the line first to claim his sixth career win and first in a Pro Series ranked race since his breakthrough victory at the 2018 Vuelta a Burgos.

"There was a crash with 1.5km to go, but I was able to stay with the others and saw a gap on the left side at the last corner," Moschetti explained after his victory.

"The last few kilometers were quite confusing. Everyone was looking to Jacobsen and Viviani, but I knew I had a chance today. Thanks to everyone who did a great job."

Moschetti responded in a defiant tone when asked if he was happy to have beaten the peloton's most famous sprinters. [Trek-Segafredo is not the biggest team in the world. But we wanted to show our potential and we are not inferior to the others," he insisted.

"This victory has a special value. I had a strong will in my head to do well, but my feelings over the last few days were not the best. Today my motivation was stronger than anything else. Because, to be honest, I was going through a difficult period: the big crash in 2020, the slow recovery, and after my return I struggled to find the best conditions to win and to express my best self. Today I can put it all behind me."

Moschetti dedicated his victory to the memory of Trek-Segafredo mechanic José Eduardo 'Pepinho' Santos, who recently passed away.

His goals for 2022 are the same as any other year, with the UAE Tour in February and the Giro d'Italia, and he has already scored several top-10 finishes.

Moschetti himself has not ruled out aiming for two wins and two losses on the final flat to Valencia on Sunday, but said he wants to "enjoy this win" first.