BURY’S Adam Yates played a key role in helping Orica-GreenEDGE team-mate Michael Matthews retain the red leader’s jersey on the Vuelta a Espana.

The 22-year-old, right, impressed on the breakaway on stage four to stretch Matthews’ lead to eight seconds ahead of nearest rivals Nairo Quintana from Movistar.

ORICA-GreenEDGE’s Sam Bewley, Brett Lancaster and Mitch Docker tirelessly took the reins at the front of the peloton again and by the second ascent Yates went with a four-rider move as the peloton crested the climb before their 20-second lead was brought back in the final 10 kilometres.

Team director Neil Stephens said: “Right from the start the boys had it clear in their mind that there was a chance that we could try for another stage win and that we could keep the leader’s jersey.

“Adam Yates, Ivan Santaromita and Cameron Meyer really came into their own on the climb.”