Geraint Thomas says Tour de France collapse is 'tough on the head'
The Welshman is still battling through injuries sustained in a crash on stage three
Geraint Thomas says his slide down the Tour de France general classification due to injuries sustained in his stage three crash is "tough on the head" as the Welshman perseveres despite finishing in the gruppetto on the first mountain day.
The Ineos Grenadier finished 33 minutes adrift, although came across the line chatting and laughing alongside Primož Roglič, who has since abandoned the race, despite the result putting Thomas' GC hopes to bed definitively.
"I think the crash has taken a lot more out of me than I thought," Thomas said after stage seven. "I think you get through some days and you talk yourself into it, you'll get better blah blah blah."
Thomas was dropped from the peloton almost immediately after a fast start to the first day of racing in the Alps, along with nearly half of the field as Tadej Pogačar soared into the race lead.
"It was a hard stage, hard start, I was out the back of it straight away and out the arse and that was it," Thomas explained.
"Wet roads, up and down, real solid day. They were racing in front the whole day so I had no chance to get back or even come out of a bad patch. After a lot of hard work since January to finish 33 minutes with the sprinters is not really what I wanted."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
While the physical toll of his injuries is impacting his performance on the road, the 35-year-old says it's the mental aspect that is truly gruelling.
"It's tough, it's tough on the head as much as anything as well, there's been a lot of sacrifices and that, got through it anyway, tomorrow is another day."
Ineos' highest-placed rider in the overall is Richard Carapaz in sixth, five minutes behind Pogačar.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.
I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard plays down talk of Giro d’Italia debut in 2025, and clarifies use of carbon monoxide inhalation
Two-time Tour de France winner gives nothing away when asked if he’ll appear at the Giro, but the Worlds in Rwanda is in his sights
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard is 'happy' while Tadej Pogačar calls Tour de France 2025 route 'brutal'
Visma-Lease a Bike sports director Grischa Niermann says course 'certainly appeals' to Dutch squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
British free-to-air Tour de France highlights being 'explored' for 2026, after ITV loses rights
2025 will be the last year for the Tour on ITV, as 25 years of coverages comes to an end due to Warner Bros. Discovery "exclusivity" deal
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I don’t think the people around Tom help' - Geraint Thomas on the Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers situation
Pidcock was "deselected" from Il Lombardia on Saturday, with the rider taking to Instagram to discuss decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tadej Pogačar says blistering Sormano attack was 'planned' after cruising to fourth Il Lombardia title
World Champion ends his season on a high in Italy with 25th victory of the year secured at Italian Monument
By Tom Thewlis Published