Geraint Thomas relishes leading Team Sky in Volta ao Algarve win

Geraint Thomas won a road race gold medal for Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas has spoken of his delight at leading Team Sky to victory at the Volta ao Algarve.

The double Olympic champion, 28, has been tipped as a future Team Sky leader by British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton.

Richie Porte began the Volta ao Algarve as the team's lead rider, but Thomas assumed that role after winning the second stage.

"It was great to take that leadership role and finish the job off," he said.

"Coming into the race he [Porte] was the leader of the team, but I took my opportunity on the second day and managed to get that stage win and found myself in the [yellow] jersey.

"You don't get many opportunities to lead the team, in a team as big and as strong as Team Sky.

"There's always good guys around so to have that opportunity to lead that team and perform and fulfil that role is a massive boost to the confidence."

Team Sky's No1 rider Chris Froome was also a winner on Sunday - beating Alberto Contador to claim the Ruta del Sol title in Spain.

The five-stage Volta ao Algarve was Thomas' fourth career stage-race victory.

The 2014 BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year held a 27-second lead going into the final stage - won by German Andre Greipel - and stayed out of trouble to secure overall victory.

Thomas's other stage-race wins had been in the Bayern-Rundfahrt, which he won in both 2011 and 2014, and the Fleche du Sud in 2006.

"It's [Volta ao Algarve] right up there. It's probably the best stage race [win] of my career," he told BBC Wales Sport.

"This one was mountainous, had a quality field, had a bit of everything really.

"I'm really happy to get the stage win and to win the yellow jersey is really good for the confidence."