Adam Yates performed the “best time trial of his life” on stage 13 of the Tour de France to defend his podium place in the race, despite the Brit going into the stage admitting that the discipline was his weakness.

The 23-year-old’s effort was the result of significant time he’s spent this year training to improve his ability against the clock, as he continues to develop into a general classification rider. He admitted that the 37.5-kilometre time trial last Friday was the longest he had ever contested, and previously said he expected to lose around four minutes on the day to the yellow jersey Chris Froome. He lost just two.

The result meant as the race entered its second rest day Yates was still holding third overall and wearing the white jersey for best young rider in the race. 

“The time trial didn’t suit his characteristics — OK there was a bit of climbing in it, but there was also long, long sections of flat and very fast time trialling,” Orica-Bike Exchange DS Matt White said.