Team Sky have no shortage of riders capable of producing superb support rides in the service of their team leaders.

Chris Froome proved himself in aid of Bradley Wiggins before earning his own shot at glory, which he took with aplomb. Richie Porte, too, is a super domestique and helped Froome to that Tour de France victory, while Geraint Thomas, Pete Kennaugh, Vasil Kiryienka, Kanstantin Siutsou, Ian Stannard and Bernie Eisel have all performed exceptionally for the team in recent years.

And David Lopez is no different. 2013 was  the Spaniard’s debut year with Team Sky and he produced some huge shifts on the front of the bunch at the Tour de France to help Froome to victory before performing a key role in Sir Bradley Wiggins’ Tour of Britain win. Lopez then went on to finish fourth overall at the Tour of Beijing.

This time out, he is in just as good form. As the lone survivor of Geraint Thomas’ support cast, Lopez was repeatedly forced to respond to accelerations off the front of the leading group. But time and again, he reappeared at the front to keep the race together – visibly straining against the effort as he dropped Geraint Thomas off in a superb position to stay in overall contention.

With Grand Tour places up for grabs, and the team boasting arguably two full teams worth of talented riders, it is important for each rider to stake their climb early on. Lopez has certainly done that.