Video: Brailsford on Team Sky's super day at the Tour de France

Dave Brailsford admitted that Team Sky has learnt valuable lessons during the last 18 months and used those experiences to make them stronger and more successful at this year’s Tour de France.

The Team Sky manager spoke to Cyclingnews after Edvald Boasson Hagen took the team's first ever stage win at the Tour de France.

Boasson Hagen in many ways personifies Team’s Sky development. The Norwegian was signed for the team's inaugural year in 2010 but struggled during that first season, as they collectively found it hard to keep pace in the world's biggest race. However a year on and the British team is unrecognisable to the one that started last year in Rotterdam with Boasson Hagen far more confident and assured of his ability both on and off the bike.

Brailsford highlighted that the team had been on an upward curve in recent months and came into the race in high spirits after Bradley Wiggins won the Criterium du Dauphine and the British national road race title.

With their first Tour de France stage win under their belt, Geraint Thomas still in the best young rider’s white and Wiggins sitting comfortably near the top of the standings, Brailsford also believes that the pressure for the team to prove themselves has eased.