Having dominated the sprint finishes in Oman – and for much of the early season in fact – it was fitting to see Andre Greipel wrap up his green jersey with another dominant kick for victory in the final stage. As bunch sprints go, it was as keenly contested as ever but once again the Lotto-Belisol train – who had pulled hard on the bunch all day – got its just reward with another stage win. The sight of the Gorilla in the green jersey is certainly one they will hope will be repeated come the podium in Paris.

But, just as Peter Sagan – a two-time defending champion of the maillot vert –  had fired a warning shot with his stage victory the previous day, another warning flare was being sent up from the Algarve. Mark Cavendish belatedly secured his first victory of the season on the final stage and the Manx Missile will be looking to build on that now as he gears towards the summer.

Sagan has proved when the road goes up – at least for a short period – he is not phased and will once again be favourite for the green jersey. But if it comes to racking up the sprint victories, Greipel is in top form, Marcel Kittel proved his own form with a hat-trick of wins in Dubai and now Cav is off the mark too. Sprint finishes are thrilling, high-octane spectacles under normal circumstances. Maintain this form, and they will be unmissable come the summer.