Geraint Thomas will turn his attention away from the Classics and towards stage racing in 2016, according to Sky’s manager Dave Brailsford.

“Chris (Froome) has earned the right to be the leader of the team having won the Tour twice, but I think Geraint is developing very, very fast and he showed this year that his climbing ability had come up to the level of the best in the world, and he time trials really well,” said Brailsford in an interview with Sky Sports.

“For next season he’ll really focus on the stage racing and see how he can go in that arena so it’s nice to have that internal competition.” 

Thomas was fourth in the Tour de France until stage 19, although teammate Froome still won the race. Individually, Thomas has had a great year, winning the Volta ao Algarve and his first Classic, E3. He was second in the Tour de Suisse, fifth in Paris-Nice and third in Gent-Wevelgem.