Showtime for Porte and Thomas

Such is the strength in depth of Team Sky that riders who might comfortably lead rival teams are asked to play a supporting role. Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte are two who have done duty in the service of team-mates in seasons gone by, but for whom 2014 represents a time to deliver on their oft-discussed potential. An all-rounder par excellence, and Grand Tour contender respectively, Sky’s most super of super domestiques showed the right intent in Australia.

On the wicked gradients of Old Willunga Hilll on stage five, Porte delivered another reminder of his undoubted talent, but yesterday showed that he is unable to force the issue on the flatlands. Thomas, however, moved into the top 10 despite riding in support of his Australian colleague, such is the breadth of his talent. The Classics are his chosen specialism (discounting for the moment his double Olympic gold medal wining prowess on the track) and after a crash-hit campaign in 2013, looks to have started the new campaign with the form necessary to make an effective assault on the brutal one-day races of spring.