Defending champion Bauke Mollema (Trek) took the first time trial victory of his career when he powered to victory on stage 4 at the Tour of Alberta, beating Andzs Flaksis (Holowesko) by 9 seconds. However, the day still ended in frustration as he missed out on the overall lead by fractions of a second to Robin Carpenter (Holowesko) who lost 16 seconds to the Dutchman in third place.

We have gathered a few reactions.

Bauke Mollema: I knew I had a good chance to win this TT

Defending champion Bauke Mollema won the stage four individual time trial at the Tour of Alberta to move into second place overall. It was the first professional time trial victory for Mollema known for his exceptional climbing ability and not for his strength against the clock, but he has made significant gains in the time trial this year.

"The TT was a big goal for me this week, especially after my TT in the Tour (de France), and I knew that I had a good chance to win the stage," said Mollema. "I knew that getting back the 17-18 seconds was quite a lot in 12-kilometers, so I just wanted to focus on winning the TT. That was my goal today, and I am happy that I did it. Now I am also one second behind in the GC."

The 12.1-kilometer course was raced on road bikes, and the aero Madone played into Trek-Segafredo's favor with Ryder Hesjedal also finishing in a strong fourth place.

Hesjedal, an early starter, set the benchmark, blistering around the undulating course in 15:03, a time that would hold up for nearly an hour until Adzs Flaksis (Holowesko-Citadel) bettered him by 10 seconds.

But Mollema would have the last say for Trek-Segafredo, flying across the finish nine seconds quicker than Flaksis and stopping the clock at 14 minutes and 44 seconds (49.2km/h).

"I had Ryder's times in the radio, and I knew already at halfway that I was 10 seconds faster, and that gave me more motivation for the second part," continued Mollema. "I think that was a good plan.

"My goal this week was to do a really good time trial. I knew it was on the road bike, and we have a really fast, aero bike, so I knew there as a chance for me to win. Of course I’m happy to have won; it’s a good feeling. I think I did a really good time trial technically and the way I built up. I kept the best for the final kilometres, and I’m happy with that. It’s the first time trial I’ve won since I’m a pro, so that’s a nice feeling.

"I liked riding it on the road bike. Normally I ride the Emonda, and I asked the team to bring the Madone for this TT. I put the handlebar a little bit lower to make the aerodynamics as best as possible; I think that's important for a time trial like this.

"49km/h is quite fast for a normal bike, and I think we have a big advantage on other teams with the Madone, and that already gave me extra motivation before the start."

Of the final riders, only Robin Carpenter (Holowesko-Citadel) edged in front of Hesjedal's time, knocking the Canadian to fourth. Carpenter was 16 seconds slower than Mollema, but fast enough to slip into the overall lead by one second to set up an exciting final stage in Edmonton tomorrow.

"It's not an easy course tomorrow," pointed out Mollema. "There are short climbs and with the bonification seconds we are going to make a good plan and try and still win the GC as well – it's going to be a hard day."

The riders will tackle an 11.9 -kilometer circuit eleven times and with bonus seconds up for grabs, everything can still change in a race separated by seconds.

"We knew that with the Tour of Alberta being so flat this year that we had our best chance at victory in the time trial," said director Adriano Baffi. "Bauke was super happy with the win, it was his first win in the time trial as a pro.

"Ryder was the reference for Bauke, and he was super motivated to do a good race, also because he is in his home country. He did very well. I could see that the whole team was motivated again today, they all did a great time trial, and now we will have to see tomorrow… Tomorrow is another day."

Robin Carpenter: I didn't know that I was on a good day

"I didn’t have a radio in my ear, and I lost power a quarter of the way through the ride, so I was just kind of doing it on feel," Carpneter said. "You can kind of look at the sections and see where people are relative to where you are, and I knew that coming down the hill when I didn’t see Evan for about the same amount of time that I saw Colin [Joyce] on the way up, I knew that I was probably close, so that gave me some motivation to really pour the gas on at the end, but I didn’t really know I was on a good ride until I saw the time coming through. I Got back to the team bus and watched Evan roll though, and that was about it."

Evan Huffman: It's disappointing

"The result is a little bit disappointing," the Rally Cycling rider said. "Obviously I really wanted to keep the jersey and thought I could do it. As far as my actual performance, I think I did well. I went as hard as I could and I didn’t make any major errors, but I just got beaten by faster guys today, so it’s kind of bittersweet, I guess."

Colin Joyce remains in podium contention after great time trial in Alberta

On the strength of an 11th-place finish in Sunday's individual time trial, Colin Joyce stayed within striking distance of a spot on the final podium with one day to go of the Tour of Alberta presented by ATB Financial.

The Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team rider is in fourth overall, 22 seconds back of new race leader Robin Carpenter (Holowesko-Citadel Racing Team presented by Hincapie Sportswear). Joyce is 15 seconds behind the rider in third while remaining the leader in the "best young rider" standings.

Defending Tour of Alberta champion Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) won the 12.1-kilometer race against the clock in 14:44. Carpenter's teammate, Andzs Flaksis, was second, nine seconds slower. Carpenter finished third, at 16 seconds, and became the third rider in three days to pull on the leader's yellow jersey. He leads Mollema by one second and Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) by seven.

Joyce, winner of Stage 1 Thursday and wearer of the leader's jersey for two stages, said he was satisfied with his result.

"I am not really known as a time trialist, so it was nice to have a solid ride," the 22-year-old said. "I lost a spot on the general classification but I can't let it bother me. All the guys who are in front of me are really respected and really good riders. So I am pretty happy with my result, actually."

Tyler Williams was fastest for Axeon Hagens Berman on the day. The 21-year-old Santa Rosa, resident powered his bike to an eighth-place finish. Time trial bicycles and aerodynamic equipment were not permitted.

"It was a pretty solid course for me - pure power," Williams said. "My form is better every day and I am recovering well, so I knew I was capable of a good ride. I maybe surprised myself a bit but it is nice to be riding to my true capabilities at the moment. Even though I didn't do too much work in the break yesterday, it was a huge day and a lot of energy was used especially in the final hour. So I maybe was a little more tired then I otherwise would have been. But honestly, I am really pleased with this ride."

Sunday's final stage is 11 laps of a hilly circuit race through the streets of Edmonton. Does Joyce believe the 124.1-km race can shake up the top of the overall standings in his favor?

"I would not rule anything out," he said. "It is going to be a really hard course. It will blow up for sure and I hope to be up there and maybe move up."