Enrico Gasparotto won the opening stage of the 32nd KBC Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde in Belguim.

The Italian, riding for the Barloworld team, beat compatriots Luca Paolini (Acqua Sapone-Caffe Makombo) and Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas), as well as Dutchman Niki Terpstra (Team Milram) in a four-up sprint at the end of the 192 kilometre stage between Middelkerke and Zottegem to take to overall lead.

It was the Italian's first win of the season after two years largely ruined by illness and loss of form.

Kurt Hovelynck was the highest-placed home rider, finishing in ninth place for the Topsprt-Vlaanderen team.

Early favourites Stijn Devolder and Leif Hoste are already out of contention for the three-day event.

Belgian Devolder, of Quickstep, finished some 17 minutes behind the leaders, while Hoste crashed 113 kilometres in. Although the Lotto rider fought his way back into the peloton, he cannot now win the overall title.

General classification after Stage One

1 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Barloworld

2 Luca Paolini (Ita) Acqua Sapone-Caffè Mokambo 0.05

3 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) Liquigas 0.07

4 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Team Milram 0.11

5 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) High Road 0.25

6 Baden Cooke (Aus) Barloworld

7 Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre

8 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank 0.27

9 Kurt Hovelynck (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen 0.39

10 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre 0.40

Eurosport