Chris Froome is ready to handle the additional pressures brought by wearing the yellow jersey as he targets Tour de France glory this summer.
Last year the 27-year-old finished the three-week race second to team-mate and countryman Sir Bradley Wiggins.
With the reigning champion focusing his immediate attention on the Giro d'Italia, Froome looks set to lead Team Sky in France - a role the Kenyan-born rider believes he is ready for.
"2012 was a huge learning curve for me, with coming second in the Tour, a bronze medal at the Olympics and fourth in the Vuelta (a Espana)," said Froome.
"It was a huge learning experience for me, being able to be right at the spearhead of the Tour de France but not having to deal with all the pressure that Bradley had on his shoulders leading the team.
"Going forward for me, this year the Tour de France is going to be my main focus. I am going to try and get myself into the best condition possible come the start of the Tour de France and take it from there.
"I am sure there are probably ways I can improve press skills, media skills to help deal with the additional pressure.
"I think the Vuelta a Espana last year helped. I was given the opportunity to lead the team for the first time and that definitely gave me a taste of that added pressure.
"Having said that, I am very prepared and know the Tour de France brings a lot more than the Vuelta in that regard.
"But it is something I feel I am ready for and I am going to have to take in my stride."