Chris Froome got safely through a tricky stage of the Vuelta a Espana to remain in third overall with four days to go. With two uphill finishes left, the Brit is pleased with his growing condition and promises to try to distance Alberto Contador.

Chris Froome finished safely on stage 17 of the Vuelta a Espana to maintain third place overall.

The Team Sky rider benefited from great work by his team-mates on the run into A Coruña and was perfectly positioned on a tricky cobbled stretch.

The team began pushing hard with six kilometres to go and Froome was able to latch on to the train of Pete Kennaugh and Luke Rowe along a thin strip of smooth paving down the middle of an otherwise cobbled street.

That meant Froome headed under the flamme rouge in a prime position and was able to hold firm on the general classification, one minute and 39 seconds behind leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and just three behind Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).

John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) emerged to claim his fourth stage win of the race, seeing off nearest rivals Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) and Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing), while tightening his grip on the points jersey.

As racing resumed following the rest day, Team Sky began the stage with eight riders after Christian Knees was forced to pull out of the Grand Tour through illness.

“I’ve not become a lead out man today," Froome said. "I’m far from it! I just wanted to stay out of trouble. It was a tricky little final. There weren’t many flat parts today. It was touch and go, if the breakaway was gonna come back. My team-mates did a great job keeping at the front. We’re one day closer now.

"It’s not a huge mountain top finish tomorrow but it’s certainly uphill. The big one everyone is looking forward to now is stage 20, which is going to be the last very big test. I expect everybody to be ready for that.

"I’m really happy with how my body has been. I definitely came in to this race a little bit fresh and I was hoping that by the second week I’d feel more comfortable in the race. I think my racing shows that. I was more comfortable to attack on the last mountain.

"The race is not quite over yet. We have a few hard days ahead of us so I’m glad that I’m finding my legs now. It’s definitely been an exciting Vuelta. It’s good for the sport to have that kind of competition.

"What’s coming up depends a lot on the weather. This last week it can change very quickly. There aren’t many flat roads around here.

"Contador has a good advantage. Having said that I’m sure we’re gonna keep trying and other teams will keep trying. After pulling out of the Tour, I saw the Vuelta as an opportunity to find some motivation again and finish the season in a good way. I really love this race. It’s a special race for me. People are very supportive to all of us. The atmosphere is great.”