Chris Froome heads into the final stage of the Volta a Catalunya in sixth overall but despite the race ending on a hilly circuit in Barcelona, the Brit doesn't expect to move up in the overall standings. The Tour champion claims not yet to be at the level of the best riders and is just happy to have ended a solid week of racing.

Chris Froome remains just 17 seconds off the pace at the Volta a Catalunya after enjoying trouble-free penultimate stage.

Froome spent the entirety of Saturday’s sixth stage in the safety of the peloton as a nine-man breakaway stay clear to battle it out for the win.

The nine riders had escaped early in the day and defied the odds in evading their pursuers as they swept into Vilanova I la Geltru.

Attacks flew thick and fast out of that group in the closing stages, but it was Stef Clement (Belkin) who made the move that counted when he sprang clear in the last two kilometres and then soloed home three seconds ahead of Rudy Molard (Cofidis) and Pieter Serry (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step).

The main bunch crossed the line 55 seconds adrift with Froome awarded the same time as his closest general classification rivals. Joaquim Rodriguez and Alberto Contador’s presence in that group ensured the Katusha rider stayed four seconds ahead of Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) at the top of the overall standings.

Froome is sitting in sixth place overall, but played down his chances of success when the race culminates on an undulating circuit in the heart of Barcelona on Sunday.

He told TeamSky.com: “I think a lot of it depends on what the weather’s going to be like on Sunday – if we manage to stay dry or if it’s going to be another nervous, slippery day in the peloton.

“With it being the last stage with circuits around Barcelona, I think a lot of guys will be looking to finish the race off in style, and in terms of GC, it’s still really close. There’s only 18 seconds between the top seven riders so it’s going to be a big battle for GC and I wouldn’t want to be in Purito’s position right now having to defend the jersey.

“Alberto Contador will no-doubt try everything he can to take the jersey, but I’m just going to be happy to finish off a good week of racing. I know where I am with my condition now. It’s nice to fight for the victory but I’m not on the level of the other guys just yet, and the punchy circuit doesn’t suit me.

“It suits Purito [Rodriguez] and Contador far more than it does me but I’m really happy with the feelings and sensations I’ve had this week. We have one day to go now and I feel a lot better now than I did at the start of the race.

“It’s been a good experience racing in extreme conditions that I’m not used to here, and that will all serve me well for the races to come.”

You can read our preview of the stage here.