Geraint Thomas, a seasoned cyclist representing the Ineos Grenadiers team, is preparing for his final showdown at the Tour de France, aiming for a stage win as his grand farewell. This year marks the 14th occasion that the Welsh cyclist will don his racing gear for the prestigious event, and he has expressed a desire to exit the competitive scene with a memorable performance. “I’d love to just be competitive and go for a stage. I think a stage win would be amazing,” Thomas stated during a media call on Wednesday, showcasing his ambition despite the twilight of his career.
Thomas is not only hoping to clinch a stage win, but he also intends to play a pivotal role in supporting his younger teammate, Carlos Rodriguez, particularly as they navigate the daunting mountain stages of the race. He elaborated on his intentions, saying, “Then, obviously, being alongside Carlos deep into the mountains and helping him as much as I can, really off the bike as much as on it, and he knows what he’s doing anyway.” His focus on mentorship highlights the respect he has for the next generation of cyclists while emphasizing the importance of teamwork in the grueling competition.
The cyclist from Cardiff has previously celebrated significant achievements in the event, including three prestigious stage victories. Highlighting his successful trajectory, Thomas won the overarching title at the Tour de France in 2018 and achieved remarkable second and third place finishes in the general classification in 2019 and 2021, respectively. As he approaches this monumental race at the age of 39, Thomas stands as the oldest competitor in the Tour this year. He is 18 years senior to Movistar Team rider Ivan Romeo, who is the youngest participant slated to compete during the Grand Depart.
In addition to his remarkable achievements in road racing, Thomas has two Olympic gold medals and three World Championship titles to his name—honors that were all secured on the track. Reflecting on his career, he said, “It’s been an unbelievable career.” However, he acknowledges that retirement remains a distant thought, stating, “It’s [retirement] something that I still don’t really think about. It’s always been about what’s coming, and I’ll reflect on it once I’m actually done.”
As Thomas gears up for his swan song at the Tour de France, he remains focused on the impending competition, recognizing the significance of this final chapter in his athletic journey. “Maybe behind the scenes we’re talking about stuff, but at the minute, I’m just concentrating on just doing this race, and I’ll worry about the afterlife, as Ed Clancy calls it, afterwards.” His dedication is apparent as he expressed eagerness for “one last big lap,” a fitting way to encapsulate his lengthy and illustrious career.
However, just weeks before the Grand Depart in Lille, uncertainty about his participation arose due to a severe crash sustained at the Tour de Suisse, which resulted in a knee injury. This injury posed a significant threat to his ability to race and potentially ruin this final opportunity to shine. Thankfully, despite the precarious nature of his situation, Thomas has alleviated concerns regarding his fitness heading into the race. Sharing a humorous perspective on his injury, he quipped, “It was horrific, mate. I’ve just done incredible to get to this point. I think I’m an absolute legend!”
He continued to clarify that his concerns were primarily precautionary, stemming from a hamstring and calf twist that occurred when his foot got caught during the incident. Thomas successfully managed to complete effective training with his coach, Adrian Lopez, which has equipped him for the challenge ahead. Even though the crash resulted in much frustration for him, he remains optimistic about his readiness, asserting, “no issues now and all good from my side.”
As excitement builds for the highly anticipated race, fans can look forward to witnessing Geraint Thomas’s last appearance at the Tour de France, with hopes that he makes this final event a memorable one not just for himself but for the cycling community at large.
