Geraint Thomas came through a tough mountain test to power into third place on the Tour de Suisse on stage five.

Last year’s runner-up came home sixth in Cari, 12 seconds behind stage winner Darwin Atapuma of BMC.

But that put Thomas just five seconds off the lead now held by Pierre Latour of Ag2r-La Mondiale with Wilco Kelderman second after they both finished just ahead of him on the stage.

Team Sky’s Sport Director Gabriel Rasch said: “It was a really good effort from all the guys.

“It was full on from the start and we wanted to have a small group and control the day, but it got too hard and too crazy.

“I think there might have been a little too much stop-start for G on the last section, but he’s in a good place at the moment.

“The win won’t be easy, but it’s definitely doable. All of the guys are strong and looking ahead.

Thomas was one of the only contenders not to launch an attack of his own as the tempo increased in the final couple of miles of the 75-mile long stage.

But that should help the Cardiff-born rider keep in contention over the remaining four stages.