Elia Viviani came from deep in the pack to claim third position on stage three at the Eneco Tour and retain his third place overall.

The Italian mounted a late charge for the line after a technical finish in Ardooie, finishing with supreme speed but just running out of road at the finish.

The Team Sky rider followed in the slipstream of stage two winner Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) as the pair made their way up the right-hand side of the peloton, but in the end it was Tom Boonen (Etixx - Quick-Step) who held on to take the win.

Collecting four bonus seconds on the line meant Viviani was able to retain third place, level with Boonen, but moved to within a single second of race leader Jesper Asselman (Team Roompot) following the third and likely final chance for the sprinters.

Team Sky moved up and hit the front with 10km to go with Bernhard Eisel leading the line, but were forced to regroup amid a big fight for position. Arriving back at the front seven kilometres later, Viviani still had a lot to do but was able to grind out a strong finish.

Team Roompot had controlled the day on behalf of leader Asselman, with the Belgian trio of David Boucher (FDJ), Edward Theuns (Topsport Vlaanderen) and Frederik Veuchelen (Wanty Groupe Goubert) up the road in the break.

After the finish Viviani admitted he was happy with his speed but disappointed to not be able to notch up another win.

He told TeamSky.com: "I am a bit frustrated to only come third but okay that is sprinting sometimes in Belgium. It is very difficult and today there were some dangerous corners and tricky sections in the final kilometres. I came from behind to take third. I think it was another demonstration that I have good condition at the moment. 

"I think we did some good work but there was a headwind and when we got to the front it was difficult to stay up there. Out of three sprints, one stage victory and a third is not too bad. We are third in GC and now we have the time trial tomorrow."

Viviani will now look to work hard over the coming stages for both his team-mates and with a view to upcoming challenges and late-season goals.

"The last three days I think are really good days for me to help with my condition. After a long time out from racing I need this hard week. For sure I will try something, maybe a breakaway, or look to stay up at the front on one of the stages. But this base work will help me for the next main focuses which are Hamburg Cyclassics and Plouay.

"They could be good races for me, and Plouay is also a good test for the world championships with a similar finish. So I am looking forward to that."