Carlos Verona (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) got his second professional season off to a perfect start when he became the first wearer for the best young rider's jersey in the Tour Down Under. Despite being a strong climber, the Spaniard insists that his main job is to work for the team's captain Jan Bakelants.

After having learnt the trade in his first year with Omega Pharma-Quick Step, young Spanish climber Carlos Verona is hopeful to have a good second year with the Belgian team. Today he got his season off to a very good start when he took the best young rider's jersey on the first stage of the WorldTour race Tour Down Under.

Verona was one of four Omega Pharma-Quick Step riders to make it into the lead group on the Menglers Hill that came just 11,7km from the finish on the opening stage of the race. Joined by teammates Serge Pauwels, Jan Bakelants and Julian Alaphilippe, he was trying to set up Bakelants for the sprint but when the Belgian lost his wheel, he finished 15th himself.

This was enough for him to become the first wearer of the jersey but the talented Spaniard keeps his feet on the ground. With Bakelants being keen to kick off his time with the Belgian team in the best possible way, Verona knows that he is in Australia mostly to work as a domestique.

"In the last climb, we were going to prepare the finale for Matteo Trentin but he didn’t overcome the climb," he said. "Jan Bakelants, Julian Alaphilippe and I made the front group. I was working for Bakelants but I found myself ahead of him and I finished seventh, which gives me the best young rider jersey.

"I’m happy about that but our goal remains to ride GC for Bakelants," he added. "If I can remain the best young rider, it would be a bonus."

Verona is equal on time with 8 other young riders and will face his first defence of his jersey in second stage which finishes with the traditional uphill sprint in Stirling.