Geraint Thomas: I could keep riding until I'm 40

Geraint Thomas says he could ride on as a professional cyclist until he's 40, but admits he has considered when he might finally called it a day.

The Welshman is only just entering the peak of his career at 29-years-old, and has shown his best ever form on the road this year after winning the E3 Harelbeke and putting an impressive display of climbing at the Tour de France.

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"I could keep riding until I'm 40 - it's a lot more mental than it is physical," Thomas told the BBC.

"I've been a pro for nine years... I'm starting to think now the end isn't... well it is far away but it's kind of not either.

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"You look at Chris Hoy who was 36 when he won a gold medal in London and everyone says you get slower as you get older. He didn't.

"It is weird now, especially when I hit 30 next year I'll probably be like 'oh no!'."

The Team Sky rider told Cycling Weekly earlier this year that he's already thought about what he might do as he reaches the twilight of his career, saying he liked the idea of helping out young riders on the British scene much like Bradley Wiggins has done with his eponymous team.

Despite some strong form in the Classics over the past two years, Thomas has been touted as possible Tour de France contender for the coming seasons, with his directeur sportif Servais Knaven saying "it’s time for him to stand up for himself and see how he can go in the Grand Tours.”