Geraint Thomas will not defend his Commonwealth Games road race title in 2018
Welshman says that the April date of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia conflicts with his commitments with Team Sky
Geraint Thomas has said that he will be unable to defend his Commonwealth Games road race title in 2018 as his Team Sky commitments come first.
The next Commonwealth Games take place on the Gold Coast of Australia during April 2018, which is right when Thomas will be racing in Europe.
Speaking to BBC Wales, 30-year-old Thomas said that fellow Welsh Sky riders Luke Rowe and Owain Doull would also miss the Commonwealth Games for the same reason.
>>> Geraint Thomas solos to Commonwealth Games road race title (2014)
"Unfortunately I think the three of us will be out of it," said Thomas.
"Where they fall in April is the wrong time for us. Luke and Owain will still have the cobblestone classics in Belgium, which will be their main target.
"At the end of the day, Team Sky pay us to race bikes for them and we've got to do what they say."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thomas won the men's road race at the 2014 Games in Glasgow, after a solo attack that was very nearly scuppered by a late puncture. However, Thomas had built up enough of an advantage to keep eventual second and third placed riders Jack Bauer (New Zealand) and Scott Thwaites (England) at bay.
The 2014 Games took place in August, ideally positioned after the Tour de France.
"If it was similar to Glasgow and after the Tour, then it might have been doable. Especially with it being down in Australia it's not like you can fly over to France and be in and out over a weekend, it's a big old trip down there."
Despite having to miss the 2018 Games, Thomas says that the 2014 road race win and time trial bronze medal for his home nation of Wales remains one of his career highlights.
"To come away with two medals and win the road race was unbelievable, and something I'll always remember and I'll always consider to be one of my biggest victories," said Thomas.
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I can help get the team back to where it was' - 20-year-old Artem Shmidt looks to the future after Ineos Grenadiers' disappointing season
Shmidt hoping to help revitalise team backed by Jim Ratcliffe after season of woes and as star rider Tom Pidcock gets set to move on
By Tom Thewlis 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
-
Tom Pidcock 'deselected' from Ineos Grenadiers squad for Il Lombardia
British rider says 'I guess off season starts early' in Instagram post
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers have had their worst season ever, and the woes appear not to be over. What’s next for the super-team of a bygone era?
With Tom Pidcock possibly off to Q36.5 and Luke Rowe leaving, the news is not quiet around the British WorldTour squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Dan Bigham becomes Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
After winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Bigham then left his role at Ineos due to his frustrations with the setup currently in place at the team
By Tom Thewlis Published