Geraint Thomas launched a solo attack to win stage two of the Tirreno-Adriatico race in Italy on Thursday as Team Sky's success on the bike continued despite ongoing controversy off it.
The 30-year-old Welshman this week declared his public backing of embattled Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford amid the ongoing UK Anti-Doping investigation into allegations of wrongdoing in cycling.
Thomas suggested there should be more scrutiny on Sir Bradley Wiggins and Dr Richard Freeman - both of whom are no longer at Team Sky and are central figures in the investigation - after refuting reports unnamed Team Sky riders had asked Brailsford to consider his position. Team Sky, Brailsford and Wiggins deny wrongdoing.
And the two-time Olympic track champion went on the attack on the road, finishing the 229-kilometres route from Camaiore to Pomarance nine seconds ahead of Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) and a pack led by Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).
Belgium's Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing) is the overall leader, with Thomas ruling himself out of contention after Team Sky riders were hit by wheel failures in Wednesday's opening team time-trial.
Thomas said: "My attack wasn't planned really. We just wanted to be well positioned in the steep part of the climb.
"We rode really hard and when Bob (Jungels) attacked, I was feeling okay and Kwiato (Team Sky colleague Michal Kwiatkowski) said on the radio, 'Have a go!' That's what I did.
"I didn't think it was going to stick until 150 metres to go, but I'm pleased to get that win.
"We've worked really hard since November. I haven't raced since the Tour Down Under (in January), so I wasn't sure how I'd cope with the rhythm of the race after the training camp in South Africa.
"Fighting for positions when the bunch moved, I was obviously feeling okay."
Thomas is scheduled to be Team Sky's joint leader for May's Giro d'Italia, alongside Spaniard Mikel Landa.
