Victorious Froome is relishing French task

The Team Sky rider came third in the 18km time trial in 21 minutes and 41 seconds, 34 seconds behind stage winner Tony Martin – the world time trial champion.

Spilak could only finish fifth in the time trial and that was enough to secure second while third overall went to Rui Costa, who had to fight hard to hold off a determined challenge from Tom Danielson (Garmin-Sharp).

“It has been a really good week for us. I am really happy with my condition now in the build-up to the Tour de France,” Froome said.

“Every race I do now is a good test for me, to see exactly where my condition is and what I need to work on. It has been a really good experience for me this week.

“It is definitely a good omen, but the Tour is still two months away and I need to do a lot of hard training before then.”

Former national champion and Commonwealth Games rider John Tanner, a 45-year-old from Sprotbrough near Doncaster, proved age is no barrier to success when he won the Out of the Saddle Road Race at Braithwell, near Maltby, yesterday.

The experienced rider with the Strategic Lions team crossed the line alone, 50 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, at the end of the 50-mile race. Second spot went to Scunthorpe’s Julian Gromett (Squadra Racing Team), while his team-mate Chris Daddy took third.

Despite some strong winds, it was a fine and dry day for the race and the pace was high throughout.

Seven riders attacked on the third lap, but Tanner was not content to wait for a sprint finish, and as they went over the M18 motorway near the quarry at Stainton, he attacked with Dominic Smith (Retford and District Wheelers), and the pair worked hard together to create a gap of around 25 seconds.

More riders gradually bridged the gap and formed another leading group, but Tanner was having none of it and with six kilometres to go to the finish he attacked again, heading for the line alone as he used all his experience to open up a gap of around 50 seconds.

Bradford rider Matthew Pearce (Bronte Wheelers) took victory in the fourth category event at the Bury Clarion Circuit Races around the Salt Ayre circuit in Lancaster on Saturday.

The 38-year-old held off Wigan’s Josh Vincent for the win, as well as Morecambe’s Andrew Butler who was third.