Cavendish, 27, rounded front-runner Elia Viviani just five metres from the line to snatch his 11th individual career Giro stage win.

After being pipped at the death, the Italian exploded and repeatedly smacked his handlebars in frustration at the end of a circuit which saw 207 riders tackle four laps of a 16.4 kilometres circuit on narrow roads in Naples before ending the stage with eight laps of a 8km circuit

French champion Nacer Bouhanni came home third as only nine men contested the final sprint after a crash split the peloton.

Pre-race favourites Britain's Bradley Wiggins, Italian Vincenzo Nibali and defending champion Ryder Hesjedal of Canada escaped unscathed.

The victory means Isle of Man sprinter will start as race leader ahead of of tomorrow's 17km time trial on the tiny isle of Ischia.


It is likely to be the only stage Cavendish will hold the Paul Smith-designed shirt as the favourites begin to assert themselves.

"It was a difficult stage for me with all the corners, it seemed a quick ride," said Cavendish, now riding for Omega Pharma-Quick Step after leaving Team Sky having spent just one season with the British team. 

"The team did incredible to stay at the front.

"My good friend Paul Smith is here, he did the jersey and I promised him I'd win the jersey the first time.

"We're super excited for a Grand Tour after the classics didn't go as planned and we wanted to start getting it right here.

"I'm happy to win the first stage."