SCOTT Thwaites produced a fine performance when he sprinted to third place in the Belgian one-day race Nokere Koerse.

The Burley-in-Wharfedale rider, who won a bronze medal in last year’s Commonwealth Games road race, finished just ahead of his BORA-ARGON team-mate Phil Bauhaus.

Thwaites, 25, is in great form ahead of the big spring classics and was only just beaten by Kris Boeckmans (Lotto-Soudal) and Justin Jules (Veranclassic) in the slightly uphill finish on cobblestones.

“That’s a great result for Scott, Phil and the entire team,” said Andre Schulze, Sport Director of Thwaites’ team. “The race was fast but controlled and so it was clear that we’d see a bunch sprint. We focused completely on the sprint and we didn’t want to waste any energy in attacks.

“Our tactic was to lead out the sprint for Scott because this kind of race finish – slightly uphill and with cobblestones – suits him. Phil’s task was to back up Scott’s rear wheel and to look for his own chance when possible. With 1,000 metres to go I knew that we would score a top result because the guys rode so strong.”