Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) won Stage 2 of the Vuelta a España following a bunch sprint at the finish.
The sprinter pipped John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) and Roberto Ferrari (Lampre-Merida), who finished second and third respectively.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took the overall leader's red jersey from team-mate Jonathan Castroviejo.
The day's four-man breakaway consisted of Francisco Javier Aramendia (Caja Rural) Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (MTN-Qhubeka), Valerio Conti (Lampre-Merida) and Romain Hardy (Cofidis).
At one point their lead grew to over five minutes but the peloton stepped up the chase and with 30 kilometres remaining, the gap was just 30 seconds.
That was small enough to see the break reeled in and the sprinters' teams set about leading out their fast men in preparation for the finish.
Cannondale, Giant-Shimano and FDJ fought a ferocious battle in a treacherous final few kilometres, which featured narrow roads, sharp bends and roundabouts.
In the end it was Bouhanni, departing FDJ for Cofidis at the end of the season, who took the win ahead of Degenkolb and Ferrari.
“We worked very hard for this,” said Bouhanni, who also won the points jersey at this year's Giro d'Italia.
“In the last moment we were in great position. It’s a great day for me and all of my team.
"You have to take your chances when you can. Each time I have a chance to win I will take it.”
Overall leader Valverde was pleased with his day's work, but hinted that he may give it up without too much of a fight.
“You always have to be at the front, to avoid crashes or splits in the peloton, and that’s why I am taking over the leader’s jersey,” he said.
"Tomorrow we’ll see if we work to defend the lead, or let it go with a breakaway.
“Perhaps there are some teammates who could take over the jersey. It’s clear Nairo [Quintana] is in good condition, and he’ll be better than me in the mountains.
"Now I am in the leader’s jersey, so let’s enjoy it, and then we’ll see what happens in the race.”
The race continues on Monday, with Stage 3 bringing the first serious climbing to this year's race. Starting in Cadiz, it features four third-category climbs before an uphill finish in Arcos de la Frontera.