GIRO DIARY: GERAINT THOMAS

It?s time for the Giro and I can?t wait to get stuck in.

I only did my first road race on April 9 and so I feel really fresh. Unfortunately it also means that my form isn?t great, but after doing a big block of racing and training in the last few weeks, I?ll be alright. Another major Tour will definitely put a few more hairs on my chest and get me ready for the summer and the Olympics.

The Giro is naturally a big objective for Barloworld and Pfannberger, Soler and Gasparotto could all do well and definitely win stages. I?ll have to do a lot of work along with Steve Cummings but winning a stage and having the pink jersey for a few days would be great.

It?s going to be great having six British riders in the Giro, and with Magnus Backstedt, that makes it six and a very big half. Hopefully we can create a good little gruppetto and I?m sure we?ll help each other when we can. Cav is going well and will be a big threat in the sprints, while the crack is bound to be good.

The Giro starts way down south in Palermo. I just it?s not too hot. I don?t really like it over 20 degrees. I?m from south Wales.

Geraint

You can follow Geraint's exploits in the Giro d'Italia every week in Cycling Weekly magazine

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