Geraint Thomas has gone from strength to strength this year, and races at the Tour de France on the back of his narrow second-place overall at the Tour de Suisse.

Thomas has been one of Sky’s form men, alongside Richie Porte and Chris Froome, and will be among Froome’s key lieutenants at the Tour.

The E3-Harelbeke champion will be a key supporting rider on the cobbles, and his powerful engine will come to the fore when the road heads skywards.

The Welsh hardman finished the 2013 Tour, where he was riding for Froome, despite fracturing his pelvis on stage one.

Last time out he was the only Brit to finish, coming in 22^nd, and has since become Commonwealth Games champion and won the Volta ao Algarve and E3 Harelbeke.

A key member of Richie Porte’s Paris-Nice-winning team and then runner-up at the Tour de Suisse, Thomas will surely lead the team himself one day but until then is an invaluable team member.

Geraint Thomas at the Tour de France

2015 highlights: Volta ao Algarve (one stage win, winner overall), Paris-Nice (fifth overall), E3-Harelbeke (winner), Gent-Wevelgem (third), Tour de Suisse (second overall).

Tour de France participations: five (2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)
Best result: 22nd (2014)
Stage wins: none

What to expect: When the road ramps up, Thomas will be at the fore for Team Sky hitting the front hard and injecting some serious pace. A key man on the cobbles too, Thomas is capable of riding with the best and will offer unwavering support for Froome in the mountains.