And Cavendish’s directeur sportif, former Madison-Genesis supremo Roger Hammond, insisted there were positives to take from the race.

“The guys were really motivated and were trying to finish the race off in style,” he said. “I think you could see from the pictures they really took the race on and did exactly what we asked them to do.

“A slight issue on the finishing straight for Mark meant we didn’t get the victory we deserved for this week.

“So it’s been a bit of a frustrating week [but] the guys showed they’ve got really good form and they’re fighting well.

“Just a little bad luck here and there prevented us from getting that victory. So we look forward to the next races knowing that we are in a good place.”

Cavendish was one of three Brits to finish in the top ten overall, with ONE Pro Cycling’s Tom Stewart leading the way in sixth place, after latching onto Kittel’s wheel in the final straight and holding on to finish the right side of a split that formed further back.

Mega week with @ONEProCycling. Huge thanks to @dubaitour for a fantastic race and welcoming us to your beautiful city. Would love to return!

— Tom Stewart (@mtb_tom) February 5, 2017

With ONE Pro Cycling having dropped back down to UCI Continental level this season, the Dubai Tour is likely to be their highest-profile international engagement of the season.

Movistar’s Alex Dowsett was the other Brit in the top ten, finishing the wrong side of the first split to form in the messy sprint but holding on for tenth overall.

Dubai Tour 2017: stage five – result

1) Marcel Kittel (GER) – QuickStep Floors – 2.34.12hrs
2) Elia Viviani (ITA) – Team Sky – ST
3) Riccardo Minali (ITA) – Astana
4) Mark Cavendish (GBR) – Dimension Data
5) John Degenkolb (GER) – Trek-Segafredo
6) Sacha Modolo (ITA) – UAE Abu Dhabi
7) Jempy Drucker (LUX) – BMC Racing
8) Paolo Simon (ITA) – Bardiani-CSF
9) Sonny Colbrelli (ITA) – Bahrain-Merdia
10) Dylan Groenewegen (NED) – LottoNL-Jumbo

General classification

1) Marcel Kittel (GER) – QuickStep Floors – 15.08.56hrs
2) Dylan Groenewegen (NED) – LottoNL-Jumbo +18”
3) John Degenkolb (GER) – Trek-Segafredo +20”
4) Jempy Drucker (LUX) – BMC Racing +24”
5) Elia Viviani (ITA) – Team Sky – ST
6) Tom Stewart (GBR) – ONE Pro Cycling
7) Riccardo Minali (ITA) – Astana +26”
8) Mark Cavendish (GBR) – Dimension Data – ST
9) Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (RSA) – Dimension Data +27”
10) Alex Dowsett (GBR) – Movistar – ST