After a great start in Volta a Catalunya, things changed quickly for Team Bike Exchange-Jeico on stage 3 when GC leader Simon Yates fell ill, ending his hopes of winning the GC battle.

Seven kilometers from the summit of La Molina, Yates suddenly sat down and did not participate in the final push to the finish. He eventually finished more than 10 minutes behind. A decision on whether Yates will start stage 4 will be made Thursday morning.

A team official later told Cycling News, "Simon was not in good shape today.

Simon Yates, who finished second overall in Paris-Nice and won the final stage, Col d'Eze, has moved into contention for the win in the Volta a Catalunya.

But before Wednesday's tough day, Yates had already suffered two setbacks in the second stage.

The team's sustained chase to bring him back to the lead group failed completely, and Yates lost 33 seconds to the other favorites.

The damage was done when Yates and two teammates, Damien Howson and Michael Hepburn, each received a 20-second penalty for "using the slipstream of a vehicle or sheltering in the back," according to a UCI communique released late Tuesday night was even greater.

Matthews' abandonment was due to illness midway through a very tough stage that included three first class mountains.

"Michael got sick during the stage and after getting sick, we decided it was best to quit," sport director Gene Bates said on the team's website.

Team Bike Exchange Jayco may be behind in the remaining Voltas, but it cannot and should not overshadow a memorable and successful start for the team.

Australia's WorldTour team was led by stage wins by Matthews and Kayden Groves on Monday and Tuesday, with the latter taking his first WorldTour win.