Geraint Thomas has done nothing to hide that he aims at repeating his 2012 victory in the Bayern Rundfahrt and after performing well in the queen stage, he stayed attentive in yesterday's long, rainy stage. The Welshman scored two bonus seconds to move closer to the overall lead ahead of the decisive time trial.

Geraint Thomas snatched some valuable bonus seconds on stage three at Bayern Rundfahrt to move into fourth place ahead of a Saturday’s crucial time trial.

Team Sky held firm in the general classification fight and moved 2011 winner Thomas into a great position, just 14 seconds off the yellow jersey.

The Welshman and Vasil Kiryienka finished safely in the pack to retain their places in the top 10, sitting fourth and ninth respectively going into the weekend with a great chance to move up the standings.

Pete Kennaugh also remains in striking distance in 12th overall after the team used their resources wisely across a gruelling 233.5-kilometre longest stage of the race

Matthias Frank retained his slender five-second lead heading into the penultimate stage and its 25.5km time trial test.

Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) claimed victory in Neusass with a gutsy late attack that saw him cross the line fractions ahead of the chasing field. Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg (Giant-Shimao) and Alexander Porsev (Katusha) rounded out the podium.

“It went to plan today,” confirmed Sports Director Gabriel Rasch after the stage.

“It was the longest stage of the race so we just wanted to make sure at the beginning that no break went without us being happy with it. Four riders went and that was a good situation for us. We let IAM do the work and then in the final we had Ian [Boswell] pulling with some other teams.

“G took two bonus seconds, which puts him in a really good position. Tomorrow the goal is obviously to see him move right up and hopefully take the lead. We know Kiry can time trial really well and Pete can also do a good ride. We’ll cross our fingers for a nice result.”