After finishing 6th in the Tour de San Luis, 22-year-old Eduardo Sepulveda continued his rise towards the elite ranks of stage racing when he finished 5th in yesterday's time trial in the Tour Mediteraneen. Sitting in the same position in the overall standings and wearing the jersey for best young rider, the Argentinean is now hoping to move up in today's queen stage to the top of the Mont Faron.

Eduardo Sepulveda has long been described as a big stage race talent and it appears that 2014 is the year when he will finally reveal the true extents of his capabilities. He already did so when he finished 6th against some of the world's best riders on his Argentinean home soil in the Tour de San Luis and back in Europe he is continuing his strong showing.

Having survived the first 3 sprint stages, Sepulveda showed his cards in yesterday's hilly 18.2km time trial in St. Remy de Provence. The 22-year-old went hard from the beginning and crossed the line in 5th, losing just 34 seconds to stage winner and new overall leader Stephen Cummings (BMC).

He now finds himself in the same position on GC and is hopeful that he can move up in today's queen stage to the top of the feared Mont Faron.

"I am happy with this 5th," he told DIrectvelo. "I was really hoping to set a good time. Bu again, to win the race is another thing. I knew that the level was high and that it would be difficult. I gave it everything I had and was at 100% from the first ascent. I did my best on the descent which is not my strong point. I probably lost a bit of time in the finale.

"This time trial gives me hope for the future. My teammates have protected me very well since the beginning of the week. I want to thank them for all the work they have done since Thursday. I am clearly the leader of the team again tomorrow. When I go to a race it is always to try to win. My main goal this week is still the final stage to Mont Faron. I don't know what I can do but I will give it everything."

Sports director Manu Hubert praised the collective performance of the team which also saw Anthony Delaplace finished in 11th and Arnaud Gerard take 25th in his first race after coming back from injury.

"There is a good homogeneity in the team as I have said from the beginning of the season," he said. "This is our keyword. A very nice 5th for Eduardo Sepulveda in the time trial in the afternoon and a good performance by Anthony Delaplace who was 11th, is very, very good.

"We have not said the last word in this race. If Eduardo has the same condition on the Mont Faron as he had at the Tour de San Luis he can fight for the win tomorrow. Eduardo is a young rider. He is 5th and the best young rider. Because of his young age, he necessarily lack a bit of experience. But he learns very quickly. The promises are great for the next two years."

In the young riders' competition, Seuplveda is equal on time with Tobias Ludvigsson (Giant-Shimano), making for an interesting battle between two of cycling's greatest talents.