Chances of Tour spot increasingly likely for Edmondson

The 20-year-old from Ilkley – who signed a neo-pro contract with Team Sky in the winter – has put in a series of performances in his first months of competition to suggest a place on the start line for the Grand Depart in Leeds next July is by no means out of the question.

Edmondson has proven himself adept at whatever challenge Team Sky general manager Dave Brailsford has thrown at him, be it as a climbing ‘domestique’ or a Classics rider.

In the early spring he supported Wiggins at the Volta a Catalunya and then finished seventh on a climbing stage of the Tour of Algarve.

Just last week, he showed his growing prowess in the Classics races in the Ardennes.

He was a finisher at the Amstel Gold Race and then improved on that performance at the 205km Fleche Wallone in Belgium.

Edmondson was the only Sky rider in the heart of the peloton, and the leading Briton from four riders. His overall finish of 43rd will have gone down well with Team Sky chiefs.

And the growing faith Brailsford is putting in Edmondson is illustrated by the rising Yorkshireman’s inclusion as a support rider for Chris Froome in the six-day Tour of Romandie, which begins today.

The Tour of Romandie is a significant warm-up race for the Tour de France, with Wiggins winning there last season en route to the yellow jersey.

Sky want Froome to challenge this week in preparation for a Tour challenge in the summer.

Riding one of the three grand tours this year may be beyond Edmondson with Sky front-loaded with experience. But a good showing in Romandie will strengthen his credentials further down the line.

“I think they just want me to keep learning at the moment,” said Edmondson. “I’m learning something new every day with all of these guys around.”

Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Scott Thwaites, 23, is currently riding the Tour of Turkey for German team NetApp Endura.