ADAM Yates played his part in one of the most successful British efforts in the Tour de France, backing up winner Chris Froome and pointing to a bright future for British cycling.

Yates finished fourth overall in what was only his second Tour, coming second in six stages and third in six more before dropping to fourth on stage 19.

Few, including his own team, saw such a brilliant performance coming. Yates came to the Tour targeting stage wins, and Orica-BikeExchange picked their squad accordingly.

But the longer Yates hung with the main contenders, the more the goals began to shift, and after Michael Matthews got the team the stage win they wanted and Yates limited his losses on the first time trial, it became all about protecting white.

Throughout it all, 23-year-old Yates remained the calmest person in the race, with Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford saying he looked as if he were riding in the Otley Criterium and not challenging for the Tour podium.

British riders won four of the first seven stages, with Froome attracting the lion's share of the media attention by winning his third Tour and matching Bradley Wiggins' record seven stage wins in a dominant performance.

But by being in white, Yates got a first-hand look at the protocol which comes with being in one of the leaders' jerseys.

He described the protocol as a pain, but at least it will not come as a surprise if he ever finds himself in a differently coloured jersey.

"Every day the white jersey is the last one on the podium, the last to do the interviews, so I'm always last to leave even though I'm first changed," Yates said.

"But it's experience and hopefully I can continue to be up there with the best in the world.

"I maintained the white jersey and I'm super happy with that. The podium would have been nice but this is the Tour de France. It's only my second attempt. I'm happy with my performance and the team is too."