When Geraint Thomas began his first Tour de France in 2007, the final classification chief he’ll be supporting in 2025, Carlos Rodríguez, was solely six years previous. However as he appears to start out the 14th and ultimate lap of France at 39, the Welshman is seeking to be as aggressive as ever.
In his 13 Tour begins up to now, Thomas has managed to convey dwelling one yellow jersey, three podium finishes, three stage wins, and been a part of six GC-winning squads, supporting Chris Froome and Egan Bernal to their respective victories.
Thomas stated the distinction between that first hit out 18 years in the past as a fresh-faced 21-year-old and right now is “night time and day, to be trustworthy,” whereas conceding that by no means since has it acquired simpler. The anticipation is all the identical, although.
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“Again then that I had no concept what to anticipate, it was simply this complete new world, whereas now, 14th Tour, you do type of know what to anticipate,” stated Thomas to the media, together with Cyclingnews, on Wednesday night.
“It would not make it any simpler, however simply a whole lot of expertise, a whole lot of onerous yards, and yeah, clearly my place within the crew might be totally different.
“Again then, I used to be the younger British child there, as a result of it began in London however now hopefully I may help the boys navigate the Tour. However I am nonetheless simply excited and nonetheless wanting ahead to 1 final massive lap.”
Regardless of ending on a Grand Tour podium as lately as final yr’s Giro, Thomas did not point out any form of GC problem as he spoke to media on Wednesday night, as an alternative wanting one ultimate day of glory on his farewell to biking’s largest race.
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He’ll provide his expertise to assist Rodríguez for almost all of the race, seeking to match or enhance on the Spaniard’s better of a fifth-place end from 2022, whereas additionally working because the crew captain on the street.
“I might love to only be aggressive and go for a stage, I believe a stage win can be superb,” stated Thomas on a press name. “However you have nonetheless acquired to be in tremendous nice situation for that.
“Then clearly, being alongside Carlos deep into the mountains and serving to him, as a lot as I can, actually off the bike as a lot as on it, and he is aware of what he is doing anyway. However I believe simply taking part in that position within the crew of simply making an attempt to share my knowledge.”
Thomas was his typical jovial self three days away from the Grand Départ, joking about Rod Stewart and sarcastically remarking concerning the knee damage, or lack thereof, which he sustained on the Tour de Suisse – regardless of crashing out, he assured all is nicely bodily.
“It was horrific, mate, I’ve simply executed unbelievable to get so far, assume I am an absolute legend,” he joked. “However no, in all seriousness, it wasn’t that dangerous. It was extra a precautionary factor with the crew and the truth that I acquired my foot caught behind and twisted my hamstring and calf.
“I acquired some good coaching in behind the motorcycle with my coach, Adrian, and did as greatest I may. It is irritating as a result of it clearly would have been good to see precisely the place I used to be in comparison with everybody else, somewhat than simply coaching, as a result of it is at all times totally different, however no points now and all good from my aspect.”
He hasn’t thought a lot concerning the subsequent chapter, which is about to be some form of administration position inside the Ineos Grenadiers setup, which has been his dwelling for 16 years as a rider, however is aware of that reflection on each his 2018 yellow triumph and complete profession shall be imminent.
“It has been an unbelievable profession, however it’s one thing that I nonetheless do not actually take into consideration. It is at all times been about what’s coming, and I will replicate on it as soon as I am really executed,” Thomas stated.
“It has been a hell of a experience up to now, however there’s nonetheless yet one more massive chapter to come back. So, get caught into that, do all we are able to and replicate afterwards.
“Perhaps behind the scenes we’re speaking about stuff, however on the minute, I am simply concentrating on simply doing this race, and I will fear concerning the afterlife, as Ed Clancy calls it, afterwards.”
Thomas spoke on the press name alongside Filippo Ganna and Rodríguez, and several other members of Ineos Grenadiers administration. The Spanish rider is assured he can go nicely on GC even towards the likes of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, and Ganna, in fact, setting his sights on the stage 5 time trial and chasing breakaways.
The crew additionally supplied a solution to why their crew announcement got here final of all of the 23 groups beginning the Tour, confirming that it wasn’t due to the extra hands-on method taken by Dave Braislford, as he steps again into the biking fold.
As a substitute, it was damage and sickness that was inflicting the hesitation to substantiate, with DS Zak Dempster confirming that Ben Swift had been due a spot till late sickness dominated him out. Swift has lengthy been a detailed buddy of Thomas’, however will not have the ability to shut out his Tour profession alongside him on the street.
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