The 27-year-old – who is in top form having won France's first professional race of the season the Etoile de Besseges in early February – prevailed on Monday in a sprint finish ahead of Spaniard Alejandro Valverde and Dutchman Bauke Mollema.
Movistar rider Valverde retained the overall lead, holding a seven-second advantage over Belgium's Jurgen Van den Broeck and Mollema, who is another four seconds back, after the Spaniard won Sunday's prologue.
Hivert is eighth overall and 25 seconds off the lead.
Tuesday's second stage is the 194km ride from Trebujena to Montilla.
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