On a day when fellow Brits Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Dan McLay were celebrating stage wins at the Tour du Poitou-Charentes and Tour de l’Avenir respectively, Adam Yates was showcasing his prodigious talent at the Vuelta a Espana.

Yates, 22, who is riding his first Grand Tour to cap a phenomenal neo pro year, showed off his incredible descending skills and tactical nous as he accelerated away from the bunch at the peak of the Alto del Catorce por Ciento.

Alejandro Valverde’s presence in the group meant Yates – whose twin brother Simon was in similarly combative mood at the Tour de France – was never going to be allowed to power the break into a winning position.

And having got the message through over his radio to say red jersey Michael Matthews was safely in the peloton, he duly responded by first keeping Valverde in check before slowing the break right down as it rejoined the bunch.

But the move was a clear indication of how Yates is likely to approach his maiden Grand Tour, with Simon having clocked the breakaway miles in France expect similarly attacking riding from Adam to come.