Wout Poels put in a strong time trial performance to finish seventh overall at Tirreno-Adriatico while Vasil Kiryienka went third quickest on the final stage.

Poels jumped three positions on the 10-kilometre out-and-back course to complete an impressive week of racing in Italy.

The Dutchman held the blue leader’s jersey for a day following a rousing solo victory on stage four, but slipped back 24 hours later after a freezing queen stage up to Terminillo.

A gutsy ride on the traditional closing time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto pulled Poels back up to seventh, 56 seconds behind eventual race winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

The Colombian took no chances on the way to victory, holding off Bauke Mollema (Trek Factory Racing) by 18 seconds, while fellow countryman Rigoberto Uran (Etixx – Quick-Step) completed the final podium, 31 seconds back.

Fastest time on the day was reserved for Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing), who avenged a narrow stage one defeat to Adriano Malori (Movistar) to win by four seconds. Kiryienka was third, visibly giving it everything on the way to the line. The Belarusian stopped the clock nine seconds down on Cancellara after a week of hard work for the Team Sky cause.

Kanstantsin Siutsou (14th) was the next Team Sky rider home, with Leopold Konig (22nd) and Poels (24th) putting in strong rides on the coast.

“It was a good day and a nice way to finish the race,” said Sports Director Dario Cioni.

“The main goal was for Wout to stay in the top 10 and he really did a good ride to move up the GC. Kiry was also really good out there. He gave it everything and you could see that at the finish.”

Cioni was also pleased with the way the team responded after planned team leader Chris Froome was forced to withdraw through illness before the race.

“We had a last-minute change coming into the race which completely altered the team dynamic. But to have a performance like this – taking a stage win, a day in the jersey and controlling the stage on the hardest day – it just shows that the level of the team is really good. We’ve got a lot of talent and it doesn’t all just revolve around one rider. We’re in a position where if someone isn’t able to race then another rider takes up the challenge. I actually think we could have taken a second stage possibly if Elia (Viviani) hadn’t been caught in the crash.”