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The Liquigas sprinter was fastest in a bunch sprint after the 175-km trip from Thisted to Aalborg.

Chicchi, a former U-23 world champion, is coming off of victory in stage three of the Brixia Tour.

Australian Graeme Brown (Rabobank) crossed the line in third, but was disqualified for unfair sprinting allowing T-Mobile's Cavendish to claim a place on the podium.

"He's a rider that often crosses the line of what can be permitted. The decision of the race jury was absolutely correct," said T-Mobile sporting director Brian Holm.

Two Danish riders, Martin Mortensen (Team Designa) and Jacob Nielsen (Glud & Marstrand), quickly broke away from the peloton building up a seven-minute lead before CSC and Liquigas led the fight-back.

With 20-km to go the pair were caught and the inevitable mass sprint ensued.

"Tomorrow, Liquigas will have to do all the chasing," Holm said of Thursday's 195-km second stage from Aars to Arhus.

"Tactically, we can plan for a sprint with Cavendish and hold ourselves back a little. Only on Friday will the stage profile become much more difficult."

RESULTS

1 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas

2 Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team CSC

3 Mark Cavendish (GBr) T-Mobile

4 Tom Steels (Bel) Predictor-Lotto

5 Tom Criel (Bel) Team Canyon

6 Jonas Aaen Jørgensen (Den) Team GLS

7 Kenny Van Hummel (Ned) Skil-Shimano

8 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas

9 Stefano Zanini (Ita) Predictor-Lotto

10 Clemens Frankhauser (Aut) Elk Haus-Simplon

Jeremy Stahl / Eurosport