Tony Gallopin showed that he could be a dangerous outsider for the World Championships when he finished third in the Grand Prix Montreal. Having done little racing since the Tour de France, the Frenchman was pleased with his form going into one of his big goals.

With a stage win and a yellow jersey in the Tour de France, Tony Gallopin has had a highly successful season. Yesterday he took his best result in a one-day race since he won the 2013 Clasica San Sebastian when he sprinted to third in the Grand Prix Montreal.

The result comes at the right time as he is building condition for the Worlds.

"This is an encouraging result in view of the Worlds and it's good for the confidence just two weeks before that race," he said. "There was a selection on the first climb, the Camillien-Houde. Then I was well placed for the sprint, but the legs did the talking. Simon [Gerrans] was far too strong in the sprint. It was almost a battle for second place."