British Champ Geraint Thomas will start his second day at the Tour de France today in Épernay in the white jersey of best young rider. He captured the jersey on Tuesday after featuring in an elite lead group and finishing second in the cobblestone stage to Arenberg.
"Everyday having the jersey is a bonus," said Thomas, "but it is all for Brad."
Brad Wiggins became Sky's Tour de France leader when he joined the newly formed British-based team at the end of last year. He finished fourth behind Spain's Alberto Contador last year and this year aims for at least the podium.
Thomas helped Wiggins move up the overall classification on Tuesday. He made the lead group with Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans, which gave Wiggins a support team-mate ahead and confidence in his team's strength.
Sky's sports director, Sean Yates told Thomas to go for the stage win and help himself to Great Britain's first white jersey since David Millar in 2000. Thomas finished second behind Norway's Thor Hushovd and took the white jersey.
He wore the jersey in yesterday's stage to Reims and put it on again this morning for the stage from Épernay to Montargis.
"It felt special to put on white jersey, an honour to be wearing it. It's a surprise as well, I didn't expect it. I thought my only chance would be at the prologue."
Thomas is talented - he won a gold in the 4K team pursuit at the 2008 Olympics - but may see the jersey slip away by the weekend. The Tour de France enters the high mountains starting on Saturday, with a mountain top finish to Station des Rousses (1,168m).
"There are a lot of good young riders here, like Andy Schleck, Roman Kreuziger, Tony Martin..." continued Thomas.
"I'm here for Brad, the jersey is just a bonus. In the mountains I guess I'll help brad with positioning and [water] bottle runs, things like that. Definitely, I don't think I'll be there at the end with him, that's down to people like Tommy Löfkvist and Serge Pauwels."
"Our aim here is to protect Brad and ride for Brad," added team manager, David Brailsford. "Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic for Geraint, but that is not what we are here to do. You end up diluting your efforts and you get indecision with your guys. What you need is clarity."
Brad Wiggins sits one minute and 49 second behind overall race leader Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) and one minute and 10 seconds behind top classification rival, Evans. Thomas has the white jersey lead by a slim 46 second margin over Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank), who is one of the top favourites to win the yellow jersey.
Tour de France 2010: Latest news
Cavendish keeps up fight for first Tour win
Sky delivers Boasson Hagen to third without pressure
Thomas in tour's white jersey; Wiggins gains time
Evans and Schleck gain in Tour's hell of the north
The Feed Zone: Tour news and views (July 6)
Vande Velde abandons Tour following crash
Andy Schleck has a laugh after stage two crash
The Feed Zone: News and views (July 5)
Sky banks on Thomas ahead of cobbled stage
Cavendish's sprint train weakened with Hansen out
Armstrong under fire as Landis allegations reach mainstream
Team Sky's decision to put Wiggins off early back fires
Tour de France 2010: Stage reports
Stage four: Petacchi wins into Reims
Stage three: Hushovd takes dramatic win; Thomas second on stage and GC
Stage three live coverage: As it happened
Stage two: Comeback man Chavanel takes victory in Spa
Stage one: Petacchi wins in Brussels as bunch left in tatters
Prologue: Cancellara pips Martin to win
Tour de France 2010: Photos
Stage three photo gallery
Stage two photo gallery
Stage one gallery
Prologue photo gallery
Tour de France 2010: Videos
Stage four video highlights
Stage three video highlights
Stage two video highlights
Stage one video highlights
Prologue video highlights
Tour de France 2010: Race guide
Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Official start list, with race numbers
Brits at the Tour 2010
Tout team guide
Tour jerseys: What they are and what they mean
Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Wiggins
Tour de France 2010: Pictures
Tour team presentation, Rotterdam
Tour teams take to the cobbles: Photo special
3D printed saddles made just for you—does your rear require one? A review of Posedla’s Joyseat 2.0
'I'm not even sure my coaches know my limits' - British cycling sensation Matthew Brennan wins again
