He's one of the attractions of this Tour de France as the first Chinese to take part in the race. And Cheng Ji is well aware that he is both a pioneer and a symbol for a country that might well become the future of world cycling.

“In China, the only cycling race that matters is the Tour de France. So yes, everybody is looking at me back in China,” he said

A pacesetter in the peloton and a trendsetter in the kitchens of his Giant Shimano team, Cheng Ji has had to prove himself as the first representative of China, a position that has indeed had an impact on his selection. While he does not have an active role in the lead-out trains designed by Giant Shimano to launch sprinters Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb, Cheng Ji has another function in the gameplan.

“My team-mates gave me a nickname: the breakaway killer. I guess it about sums it up,” he said.

So far, he has perfectly played his part and Kittel's three victories in four days are ample proof of it.