Fabio Felline (Trek) was the man on song on Stage 2 of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, taking the win in a bunch sprint.

The 25-year-old's fine victory was his first at WorldTour level, and his first at any level since 2013.

Michael Matthews, who won the first stage, retained the lead in the general classification.

Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural), Sebastien Reichenbach (IAM), Louis Vervaeke (Lotto Soudal), Thierry Hupond (Giant Alpecin) and Kevin de Weert (LottoNL-Jumbo) formed the day's breakaway, with the quintet going clear early on in the stage.

Before long, Hupond and de Weert had dropped back to the peloton, leaving their three companions to forge on alone.

The gap began to tumble steadily, and with 20 kilometres to go the break had an advantage of just 15 seconds, with the catch made shortly afterwards.

Tom-Jelte Slagter (Cannondale-Garmin) then attacked on the summit of the day's final climb, forcing Etixx-QuickStep into action. The Belgian team led the chase towards the finish line, eventually catching Slagter two kilometres from the finish.

Orica-GreenEdge and Lotto Soudal, working for Matthews and Tony Gallopin respectively, then took over on the front as the peloton approached the finish.

Despite Etixx-QuickStep emerging from the final roundabout with a leadout intact, Felline stole a march on the rest of the field and was able to hold on to take the win ahead of Matthews and Gallopin.

World champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-QuickStep) was left to settle for fourth place.

Felline was delighted after his first victory in almost two years.

“It’s a bit of a surprise but it’s nice to win,” he said. “I haven’t won, and especially won a sprint, for a long time. I won the time trial at the recent Criterium International and so I knew I was in good shape and had good legs. It’s about using them when you have them.

“To be honest, I came here with the goal of winning something. A chance came my way and so I’m very, very happy. I really want to thank all the team who have helped me and encouraged me recently.

"I had a puncture with about 40km to go but I got back on and felt good. In the sprint I was well placed and took my chance. I managed to start my sprint before Matthews and managed to hold him off.

“This is a dream come true. It’s my first-ever WorldTour win, so I’m so happy.”

The Vuelta al Pais Vasco continues on Wednesday with a 170.7 kilometre stage from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Zumarraga.