Third behind Chris Froome and Alberto Contador in the third stage of the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia Ruta Del Sol (Motril - Alto Hazallanas), Romain Bardet is on a par with the best riders in the world.

"We had staked everything on Romain and it proved to be the right solution. I'm pleased with the spirit of the group and that the automatisms of last year are coming back. We will remain united to the end to try to get onto the podium," Ag2r sports director Julien Jurdie said.

Two days before the end, Bardet is 4 h overall, just 14 seconds off the podium.

Last Sunday at the Clasica de Almeria, Romain Bardet was one of the main actors in a long breakaway "to test myself and get my offensive mind back." Four days later, he showed that he is already in the shape of former winners of the Tour de France Alberto Contador and Chris Froome who were first and second after a tough climb of 7km.

"I am where I wanted to be," he said. "We are only in February and I only have five days of racing in the legs. I am pleased with the way the day panned out. This stages validates the winter work. I found myself behind two big names from the international field. Despite everything I often see, often the glass as half empty and I think I still have work to do to stay with the best in the last three kilometres. I'm not very far from the podium, and I do not represent any danger to Contador. I hope to have a little freedom tomorrow."