Sky's the limit for rookie Swift after breaking his Tour duck

The 23-year-old from Rotherham won stage two of the Tour Down Under amid dramatic scenes at Mannum near Adelaide, underlining his growing potential in the sport.

Traditionally a climbing specialist, Swift's role on the six-stage tour was that of a 'domestique', supporting sprinters Greg Henderson and Chris Sutton in their bid for the leader's jersey.

But after his plans to lead out Sutton were dashed when the Australian crashed four kilometres from the finish, Swift was left to prove he has the pace to match the fastest in the world by sprinting for the line ahead of RadioShack's Robbie McEwen and Radobank's Graeme Brown.

Swift is now third in the overall standings and with Sutton struggling and Henderson feeling the effects of a tumble in Sunday's prologue, Swift is in position to lead the team's challenge for the remainder of the race.

"That would be a massive honour and I'd take it, for sure," said Swift who avoided three crashes in total on his way to victory.

"That said, I don't mind dropping back and resuming my original lead-out role either. Whatever I have to do for the team, I'll do it.

"If I've got good legs, Thursday's stage could be one that suits me but it looks set to be a really tough one because the temperatures are due to rise to around 36 degrees. We'll just have to see how it goes."

Team director Sean Yates

revealed afterwards that with Swift in such good physical shape and now mentally strengthened by a breakthrough stage win, the Yorkshireman will have the chance over the coming days to be the first rider to win a tour for the British team.

Yates said: "Obviously we will take things on a day-to-day basis but Swifty is in an ideal place right now and clearly on form. It was a great performance from him (yesterday) and we shall see how he gets on."

For now, though, Swift can reflect on a considerable achievement.

The Tour Down Under may not have the gravitas of the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia or the Vuelta a Espana, but is still a recognised international race that attracts some of the best riders in the world.

Sky's top man Bradley Wiggins may have stayed at home, but in McEwen, British sprint star Mark Cavendish, Andre Greipel and Tyler Farrar, some of the fastest men on two wheels have gathered in Australia.

The Tour Down Under also represents Lance Armstrong's final overseas race after one of the most colourful and successful careers in pro cycling; all of which puts Swift's victory into context.

"It's the biggest win of my career, without a doubt," said the young man from North Anston, who will also play a prominent role in Britain's track programme in the build-up to London 2012.

"But it all felt a bit unreal to be honest because our plan changed three times in the final four kilometres. Fortunately we were all able to think on our feet, though, and everything turned out brilliantly."

The three crashes Swift had to negotiate on the 146km route from Tailem Bend to Mannum not only ended Sutton's chances but also those of Welshman Geraint Thomas, who had been helping Swift to the finish line.

Swift said: "The plan initially had been for everyone to ride for CJ (Sutton) but when he crashed we kept our lead-out going because Greg Henderson was there.

"We were right on the front in the final kilometre with Mathew Hayman leading the way, me in second and Geraint Thomas on my wheel, but I got the call from G with around 600m to go that Greg had dropped back and it would be me who was going for it.

"He hopped on Hayman's wheel and I got on G's and they took me right up until about 200m to go and then I just went for it.

"McEwen got a bit of a jump on me at first but that gave me something to run at and thankfully I was able to pull away at the end there.

"Hayman is probably one of the best lead-out guys in cycling. I was so comfortable following him," he added.

"Unfortunately some of our guys crashed, but in the end I'm just pleased we got the win for Team Sky.

"I couldn't believe that G had fallen because he was right there with 200m to go. Thankfully he is all right, but CJ (Sutton) is not so great and has a deep cut on his knee. He's a tough guy and I'm confident he will be able to battle on."

Swift is classified as the same time as race leader McEwen with HTC's Matt Goss sandwiched in between and Greipel just four seconds back in fourth.

Armstrong finished stage two in 42nd place while Cavendish crossed in 130th after a crash.

Sutton is expected to start today's third stage from Unley to Stirling.

SWIFT FACTFILE

1987: Born Rotherham, Nov 5

2003: Finishes second in National Under-16s Scratch Race, having taken up cycling aged 12

2004: Competes at Junior Commonwealth Games and wins junior points race championship

2005: Begins competing at international and senior levels

2007: Makes professional road race debut for Barloworld; wins King of the Mountains jersey in Tour of Britain

2008: Competes in road race at Beijing Olympics; joins Russian team Katusha

2010: Finishes third on a stage of the Giro d'Italia but ends Katusha contract early to join Sky

2011: Wins his first tour stage