Filippo Ganna put in a powerful turn of speed to kick off the Tour of Britain with second place.
The Italian hit the front as a strong breakaway group of 13 riders pushed clear on a demanding finishing circuit around the streets of Lincoln.
With five ascents of the cobbled Michaelgate climb to conquer, the peloton split apart over the second pass, with Ganna joined by teammate Kim Heiduk.
The pair launched a number of accelerations as the group's advantage to the peloton spun out. Heiduk would drop back in the closing kilometres, while Ganna limited his losses well over Michaelgate before giving chase to Lewis Askey (NSN Cycling Team).
The Brit had forged clear over the top of the climb and held on by two seconds at the line, taking an early race lead. Thanks to bonus seconds Ganna sits second overall, nine seconds back. Heiduk finished 11th in Lincoln after a day of hard work from the team.
From the outset Netcompany INEOS worked hard to control the early six-man move, with Artem Shmidt and latterly Sam Welsford getting through a long stints on the front on the approach to the finishing circuit.
