Recent San Sebastian winner Adam Yates has finished third in a tricky uphill finish on stage three of the Tour of Alberta in Canada today.

ORICA-GreenEDGE went into the stage with the leader’s jersey courtesy of Michael Matthews’ victory yesterday, but the 24-year-old lost contact with around a kilometre to go as Tom-Jelte Slagter (Cannondale-Garmin) attacked to win the stage.

With the final a case of the unknown the Australian outfit was ready for all scenarios.

“We took the responsibility of the chase all day,” sport director Dave McPartlandsaid. “Coming into the final climbs we lost the guys who had been working all day, but we set up both Adam and Michael depending on how it was raced.

‘We were right in doing that because Michael got dropped with around a kilometre and a half to go but Adam was well placed.

“Adam was exposed a little, hitting the front too early, but he didn’t want to back off too much because he knew he would be attacked which is what happened.”

Bauke Mollema (Trek Factory Racing) finished second to claim the overall lead, whilst Yates moves into second place, just six seconds behind, ahead of tomorrow’s queen stage.

“Everything can still be taken tomorrow, particularly with bonus seconds on the line,” McPartland said.

“After a big day in the front today, now it’s up to the other teams tomorrow. Adam is feeling good and hopefully he can get back the time tomorrow.”