Yauheni Hutarovich won the first stage of the Etoile de Besseges, edging a sprint-finish in Bellegarde, France.

The 27-year-old FDJ rider edged Frenchman Anthony Ravard (AG2R La Mondiale) into second place, and Bjorn Leukemans (Vacansoleil-DCM) into third.

Johnny Hoogerland, Daniel Diaz, Steven Van Vooren, and Laszlo Bodrogi formed the opening break of the day - 53 kilometres into the 153.1km stage.

The peloton reeled in the quartet with 35km remaining, before Hutarovich's field sprint victory.

The Belarusian's win sees him awarded both the leader's and points classification jerseys after one stage, ahead of the 149.4km second stage on Thursday.

Etoile de Besseges stage one results

1. Yauheni Hutarovich (BLR) FDJ3:32:23

2. Anthony Ravard (FRA) AG2R La Mondiale

3. Bjorn Leukemans (BEL) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

4. Cedric Pineau (FRA) FDJ

5. Saïd Haddou (FRA) Team Europcar

6. Evaldas Siskevicius (LTU) VC La Pomme Marseille

7. Stefan Van Dijk (NED) Veranda's Willems-Accent

8. Cyril Lemoine (FRA) Saur-Sojasun

9. Stephane Poulhies (FRA) Saur-Sojasun

10. Jarl Salomein (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator

Eurosport