Geraint Thomas relishing being the man to beat at the 2020 Giro d'Italia
The Welshman is raring to go as he looks to take his second Grand Tour victory in Italy
Geraint Thomas is confident heading into the Giro d'Italia, going into the three-week stage race as one of the favourites, having recovered his form after his omission from the Tour de France.
Although it wasn't an 'omission', according to team boss Dave Brailsford, who has said the situation was misconstrued and it wasn't a case of 'non-selection' for Thomas at the Tour de France, but more a re-evaluation of goals for the season.
"This is the first time we’ve seen each other [since their discussion that Thomas would miss the Tour], he just punched me in the mouth as we walked in," Brailsford joked, sitting next to the 2018 champion at Ineos' pre-race press conference.
"I think people misunderstood the whole thing around the Tour, it’s not a non-selection when you look at the situation. Everyone came through the pandemic in different ways. We sat down, we’ve known each other a long time and can sit down and have a very honest conversation.
"Now, we’re starting the Giro where he’s in a position for the overall. I think it’s more exciting for a rider of Geraint’s standing."
Thomas is equally confident of his ability to potentially end up on the podium in Milan wearing the maglia rosa.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I think one of the favourites probably, there’s a strong field here," he said. "It’s nice when you hear people say you're the favourite but you don't really think about that, just try and get here in good shape and race as well as you can. Hopefully, they're right."
Where does he get this confidence from? Is the next question.
"I won the Tour in 2018, I was second last year. At Tirreno-Adriatico I felt I was getting stronger throughout and the Worlds TT went well," Thomas answered matter of factly, not in the mood to suffer any fools.
Another question comes in reminding Thomas that he hasn't always been so lucky at the Giro, having abandoned the 2017 edition and his highest finish being 80th from two participations earlier in his career before his contender credentials were realised.
Is he concerned about the climbing in the final week? The Ineos rider has the advantage in the time trials against his GC rivals, so they may look to the 15,000 metres of climbing on stages 17, 18 and 20 to hit back.
"I don’t know if you’ve seen the Tour but we do a lot of long climbs there too," Thomas replied drily. "There are obviously going to be tough days, and mountains are where it’s won and lost. But yeah it’s a tough race and I think the weather will add to that if it’s cold or raining. It’s definitely a big challenge and will be an exciting end to the race."
Thomas and Brailsford seem more relaxed than they usually are heading into a Grand Tour they hope to win. That's most likely down to the Tour de France being on its own level in terms of bike race, but let's hope the candidness from the sometimes uptight British team continues throughout the Italian Grand Tour, continuing to hit homers out of stupid questions as they make their way up the Adriatic coast this month.
But also, Ineos' failure to win the 2020 Tour de France must have freed them, they had almost become captive of their own success. Having proved mortal, their appetite for victory will only have increased, and everyone knows hungry dogs run faster.
"I think the Tour is done," Brailsford explained. "When the races come so fast you can't dwell on them, you don't take one race into the next one. You collect all the insights you can get, put them in a box, and come back to them at the end of the season. This race doesn't have any bearing on the one that came before it."
"For me, it's the same as always," Thomas added. "No external pressure from the team...no-one's said anything to me [about having to win] anyway," to which Brailsford shakes his head. "I’ll just worry about myself. A lot of things can happen that are out of your control, what will be will be."
A new, relaxed approach to a Grand Tour from Ineos? It is 2020 after all.
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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Tom Pidcock criticises 'bland' mountain bike course at Paris Olympics
'When you just gravel over a nice hillside, it's not really mountain bike,' says reigning champion
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early, ensuring riders are 'more prepared than ever'
Registration for the 2025 Unbound Gravel will open on Friday, November 1, 2024, and close two weeks later, on November 15. Lottery winners will be announced on November 21, 2024.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket 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 says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
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
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published