Owain Doull and Luke Rowe got their campaigns underway with top 10 finishes in a crash-marred climax to the Down Under Classic.
Olympic champ Doull finished sixth one place ahead of his fellow Team Sky rider Rowe in Australia.
Rowe hit the front for the second time on the final lap of the 31 lap 1.7km circuit as several of the top sprinters went down coming out of the final corner.
But it was Australia’s Caleb Ewan who proved the stronger on Bartels Road as he made a winning debut for his new Lotto Soudal team.
“It was hot and fast which was to be expected really,” said Doull. “It was a good race to blow out the cobwebs and a decent day all in day. The team did a good job. A bit of chaos but, all good fun.
“We were working for Kristoffer Halvorsen but there was a crash with two or three laps to go and he got stuck behind it.
“We switched and I thought I’d have a nudge. Sixth is not bad, but not great. But still a nice start!”
The fans are out in force. Including our youngest supporter today – @LukeRowe1990’s son Ollie 😍 #TDU pic.twitter.com/BlrZMWemul
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) January 13, 2019
Carmarthen’s Scott Davies crossed the line 107th – one minute 50 seconds down on Ewan for his Team Dimension Data outfit.