Chinese rider Cheng Ji has become the first of his countrymen to take to the start line of the Tour de France and he has already made huge strides adding to his rising stock.

Ji was introduced by Giant-Shimano as ‘the breakaway killer’, deployed to drive the speed of the peloton and keep any breaks within reach.

And he has lived up to his moniker with some great rides for his team so far at the Tour. No breakaway has been given room to manoeuvre on the three sprint stage so far – with breakaway regulars Jens Voigt and now Thomas Voeckler among those to have seen their slim hopes of stage success shattered by Ji and his Lotto-Belisol counterpart Lars Bak.

Deployed to great use by the Giant-Shimano train, the tireless 26-year-old’s efforts will no doubt have attracted some envious glances from his rivals. On this form, his first Tour de France ride will certainly not be his last.