The 23-year-old, who won four stages of last year's Giro d'Italia, came out on top despite being bumped several times along the way by Belgium's Jasper Philipsen, riding for Hagens Berman Axeon.

The group sprint occurred after the peloton caught leaders Tanner Putt of the United States and Belarus' Andrei Krasilnikau, who ride for UnitedHealthcare and Holowesko-Citadel respectively.

They were reeled in with fewer than two of the 12 11.5 kilometre flat circuits of the course left, on the 134.5km race in Long Beach.

This allowed the Quick-Step Floors team to move into position and they ensured Gaviria crossed the line first, recording a time of 3 hours 2min 23sec.

As reported by Cycling News, following his win, Gaviria said he was not surprised by his victory despite a long break from the sport following a broken hand caused by a crash at March's Milan-San Remo.

"I don't know if I'm surprised," he said.

"I've been training at home and training for that, and I think it's good to come back and win."

Australia's Caleb Ewan, riding for Mitchelton-Scott, and Slovakia's triple road race world champion Peter Sagan, riding for Bora-Hansgrohe and the favourite for today's race, finished in second and third respectively.

Ewan paid tribute to today's winner.

"It was a pretty straightforward race today, although it was a pretty hectic finish," he said

"My team was great and got me where I needed to be for the sprint, but Fernando did a great sprint."

The riders will now cycle from Ventura to Santa Barbara County on a 155km course when the International Cycling Union World Tour race continues tomorrow.

The women's event begins on May 17.