'This confirms I can be up there with the best stage racers in the world'
Geraint Thomas has beaten Alberto Contador twice in stage racing this season and the Welshman believes his Paris-Nice win shows he can compete with the best in the world

Geraint Thomas says his win at Paris-Nice proves he can compete with the best stage racers in the world, having held off a strong challenge from Alberto Contador in Nice on Sunday.
The Team Sky rider trailed Contador on the road by 30 seconds at one point in the final 20km as the Spaniard attacked on the climb of the Col d'Eze. Such an advantage would have given Contador the overall win, but Thomas fought back with Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Soudal) on the descent to bring back the Spaniard to within five seconds to take the win.
"I knew I had to keep fighting and I never gave up. Having Sergio there with me at the end really helped, and I owe Tony Gallopin a few beers as well!," he told the Team Sky website.
"That descent was like a load of back-to-back team pursuits, and as the gap gradually came down I knew I had a chance. I went full gas all the way to the line and ended up taking the win.
"I can't thank my team-mates enough. They've been 100% committed to me all week so to finish the job off for them is an amazing feeling. I'm in dreamland at the moment and it'll take a while to sink in. I used to run home from school to watch Paris-Nice, so to win it is just crazy.
"This confirms I can be up there with the best stage racers in the world and I'll definitely celebrate tonight. You don't win very often, so when you do, you have to enjoy it."
The win is Thomas's fifth in stage racing and first at WorldTour level, having taken victories at Bayern Rundfahrt (2011 & 2014) and the Volta ao Algarve (2015 & 2016). From here, Thomas will race Milan-San Remo on March 19 before starting the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour of Flanders.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
EF Education-EasyPost and Israel-Premier Tech to race all-new Maryland Classic in September, one of just 4 UCI races in the US
A truly international field slated to attend America's newest UCI race
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Kristen Faulkner cools down after making a splash at the Giro Donne
The American headed straight for the sea to after winning the stage and taking the Giro Donne overall lead
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Ineos set to launch new Kenyan cycling academy with Eliud Kipchoge - the first man to run a marathon under two hours
The multinational chemicals company will work in partnership with Ineos Grenadiers and Eliud Kipchoge
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Have you heard the one about why Australian track riders dye their hair blonde? Ineos Grenadiers's Luke Plapp reveals all as he seeks world track and road glory
The Ineos Grenadiers youngster is expected to be one of the peloton's strongest time triallists in the ensuing seasons
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Geraint Thomas announces he will race in 2022 Commonwealth Games
The Welshman took to Twitter to reveal he will return to the event after failing to defend his road race title in 2018
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Tom Pidcock and Geraint Thomas to make season debuts at Volta ao Algarve
David Gaudu, Remco Evenepoel and Tobias Foss will also race in Portugal from tomorrow
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Who is Kim Heiduk, Ineos Grenadiers' young German signed to bolster their sprint and Classics options?
The 21-year-old spent three years at the U23 team Lotto-Kern Haus
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Surprise: Egan Bernal posts video of himself walking unaided following crash
Colombian has returned home for rehab after spending two weeks in hospital after his collision
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'It’s like being born again': Egan Bernal on being alive after crash
Ineos Grenadiers rider says his life changed in a second, as he is released from hospital after crash
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Egan Bernal leaves hospital in Colombia two weeks after training crash
Ineos Grenadiers rider now faces "long" rehabilitation, no complications reported
By Adam Becket • Published