Lotto-Belisol’s impressive start to 2012 continued with victory for Gianni Meersman on the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve.

Sprinter Andre Greipel has flown the flag for the team, winning three stages of the Tour Down Under before claiming the first stage of the Tour of Oman.

And Meersman opened his account in Portugal, taking advantage of the tricky finish, with a five per cent climb in the final kilometres, to cross the line first ahead of Belgian compatriot Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing) and Denmark’s Matti Breschel (Rabobank).

“I’m really happy with my first win of the season,” said Meersman. “I’m not a real sprinter, I’m more of a puncher. It’s great to get my first win and we’ll see about the rest of the week.”

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale) took fifth, while Team Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen finished ninth. Vuelta a Espana runner-up Chris Froome finished in 22nd, but Bradley Wiggins fell the wrong side of a split in the peloton and lost seven seconds in 77th.