The first stage of the Tour of the Guangxi is over, ending a long five-month journey for Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates).

Orbetello, on the third day of the Giro d'Italia, was the last place Gaviria won a bike race until Thursday, when he won a sprint win in the North Sea. Four days later, Gaviria missed the Italian race, suffering from knee pain suffered in a track crash in April. [After four weeks of physical therapy, he returned to racing, albeit belatedly, at the Tour de Pollogne. Half a season later, Gaviria returned.

"I haven't won in a long time, so it's a great feeling," Gaviria said after the awards ceremony where he took the stage win, overall, points, and the young riders' jersey.

"It was really good to win the last race of the season. I've recovered from the miserable races I've had this season and now I can start the winter in a good mood."

Gaviria beat Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) on the line after three laps of the North Sea circuit.

The competition was stronger this time around, so a repeat of the four stage wins from the first edition in 2017 seems unlikely, but the win is still only a positive as it was a tougher day than on paper.

"The sprint was really difficult. There were attacks on the small climbs and also on the flat parts," said Gaviria. Remi Cavagna attacked more than his time, and Campenaerts attacked in the final. It was really difficult to control.

"I was steering the Bahraini rider (Phil Bauhaus). It was a really long sprint because all the sprinters started too fast. I came from dead last too, but it was a really close race."

"Right after the finish, I wasn't sure [of the win] because it was so close. But I didn't know until Paolo Tiralongo (UAE Assistant Sportif) said 'I won.'"

Back on top, Gaviria's confidence has grown, and he is looking forward to the circuit races on stages 2, 5, 6, and perhaps the tougher stage 3. But with one win already under his belt, Gaviria will end the season happier than he has been for the past few months.