Geraint Thomas continues one of the biggest seasons of his cycling career in Portugal on Wednesday.

The Cardiff rider will start the defence of his Volta ao Algarave crown as part of Team Sky’s five-man team for the five-day event.

Thomas, 29, became the first Brit to win the race last year when he saw off defending champion Michal Kwiatkowski.

The duo are now team-mates following the Pole’s move from Etixx Quick-Step and they will start the race as joint leaders.

But Thomas’ focus is very much on the Tour de France in July when he could emerge as team-mate Chris Froome’s main threat in his bid for a third Yellow Jersey.

The Monaco-based ace helped Froome to Tour glory last year with a series of sensational rides and he wants to be Sky’s second protected rider this year.

Thomas may have to leave Team Sky is he wants team leadership and a real crack at the coveted Yellow Jersey.

But team chief Dave Brailsford is confident the duo’s rivalry will not be soured in the way Froome and Bradley Wiggins fellow out in 2012.

Brailsford said: “Geraint is a man on a mission and he is nipping at Chris’s heels.

“I hope Geraint does get to a point where he’s challenging Chris. It would be great for Geraint, great for Chris.

“Ultimately either will get what they want here or if they can’t, they’ll go elsewhere.”

Thomas opened his campaign finishing 39th overall in last month’s Tour Down Under in Australia.

Wednesday’s stage one is a 100-mile test from Lagos to Albufeira that will likely end in a sprint finish.
endig