Back-to-back runners-up spots for Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEDGE) and the overall lead as reward for his consistency marks another good start to a season for the 24-year-old Australian. But we have been here before – Howard having won two races at last year’s Challenge Mallorca after two top-five finishes at the Tour de San Luis. However, save for a third place at Paris-Nice, he did not follow up such a start – injury leading to him abandoning at the Giro.

But once again he has proved his sprinting credentials, and confirmed the Australian team have more in their out-and-out sprinting armoury than just Michael Matthews and Matt Goss. The Australian team has enjoyed an encouraging start to the year after Simon Gerrans’ victory at the Tour Down Under – with Gerro himself proving he is no mean sprinter. Competition for places in the Australian team’s squads for the big races is undoubtedly high but Howard has certainly given a good account of himself. Enough for another shot at a Grand Tour? Time will tell.