Geraint Thomas: 'Froome will just get better towards the Giro d'Italia'
Thomas says his team-mate will pick up form through the Giro despite his poor showing at last week's Tirreno-Adriatico
Chris Froome will keep improving from Tirreno-Adriatico until the Giro d'Italia in May, says Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas.
Froome faded on the summit finish to Sassotetto and lost 20 seconds in the final time trial to finish 34th overall on Tuesday. Team Sky dominated the race with Michal Kwiatkowski the winner and Thomas third after a chain problem cost him time.
"Froomey will just get better all the time now," Thomas told Cycling Weekly.
"He's such a class rider that another camp in Tenerife, plus another race in the Tour of Alps he'll be on good form again. If he rides into form throughout the Giro d'Italia, I guess is good for him looking ahead to the Tour de France. There's no stress on his side."
Froome has two months before the Giro d'Italia begins on May 4 in Jerusalem. He is taking aim at the Giro/Tour in 2018 after winning the Tour and Vuelta a España in 2017. Prior to the Giro d'Italia, Froome will race the Tour of the Alps in Italy and Austria, a race Thomas won in 2017 when he prepared for the Giro.
In the background, he and Team Sky are dealing with his salbutamol case from the Vuelta. It is not yet known when the case could be heard and if Froome will face a suspension.
Thomas is building to be the co-leader and B plan for the Tour de France in July. This year, he will skip the Giro to be ready for the Tour in July and later the Vuelta.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I'm pleasantly surprised how I'm going," continued Thomas. "I know I've said it and I know people don't believe me, but I'm taking it easy this year. I've trained hard, but just haven't been 100%. I'll take that next step now and knuckle down and keep pushing to July."
Had it not been for the jammed chain on the summit finish at Sassotetto, Thomas could have won the Tirreno-Adriatico overall. On the final day, his time trial saw him overtake Mikel Landa (Movistar) and move to third overall.
"I don't look into that too much [at my rivals] because everyone is so different, but for sure it's nice to be there in the front climbing with everyone. The majority of the guys are here who's going to be in the Tour," Thomas said.
"I feel I have a way to go, I'm sure they do to, but it's nice to have that little advantage at the moment. The Yates [Adam and Simon] are on it, they always seem to be, the rest... No one else really stands out."
Thomas will train at Tenerife and then parachute in for Paris-Roubaix in northern France, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour de Romandie.
"Roubaix is kind of more for... Well, it's Roubaix, and it's such a good race to do and I can help [Gianni] Moscon and [Ian] Stannard, and it's also good for the Tour," added Thomas.
"I'll have an easy week after Romandie and get back into it again. I definitely have quite a bit of headroom now, a lot of weight to shift and I haven't really done any threshold efforts yet, so there's a lot to come."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
'There's still some room for improvement' - Tadej Pogačar thinks he can get even better in 2025
After winning the Triple Crown of the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and the World Championships, Pogačar wants more
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Patrick Lefevere to step down as Soudal Quick-Step boss
Controversial Belgian to be replaced by Jurgen Foré after over 20 years in charge
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
'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
-
Ill Geraint Thomas battling to remain in Tour de France
The 2018 Tour de France winner is showing mild symptoms of Covid
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'It was damage limitation': Tom Pidcock, Jai Hindley react to losing time on Tour de France stage two
"There’s going to be minutes in three weeks. 21 seconds doesn't mean anything," says Tom Pidcock after first blows dealt from the favourites in Bologna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Geraint Thomas not picked by GB during his final Olympic cycle
Double gold medallist misses out on spot in five-man road team
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome misses out on Tour de France selection
39-year-old absent from Israel-Premier Tech's eight-rider roster
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Yates will be my right hand man': Tadej Pogačar confirms UAE Team Emirates squad for fast approaching Tour de France
Adam Yates, Juan Ayuso and João Almeida all set to back Pogačar as he gets set to challenge for third Tour victory
By Tom Thewlis Published