Geraint Thomas says 2019 ‘wrong time’ to settle unfinished business at the Giro d’Italia
The 2018 Tour de France winner looks ahead to the coming season
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TfXX7qtTiAzJhptNdTuoJ-415-80.jpg)
Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome at the 2018 Tour de France Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
Geraint Thomas says 2019 may be the “wrong time” to return to the Giro d’Italia as he considers a Tour de France defence.
The 2018 Tour winner is looking ahead to the coming season and has previously mentioned his “unfinished business” with the Italian Grand Tour.
But the Welshman has hinted that he may defend his yellow jersey next year, riding alongside team-mate and four-time Tour winner Chris Froome.
In an interview with the BBC, Team Sky’s Thomas said: “I definitely feel there’s unfinished business there [at the Giro] but next year might be the wrong time.
“Being there [at the Tour] with number one on my back, it would be a shame to know I wouldn’t be at my best, so I’m definitely leaning more towards that.”
>>> The moment a cycling fan bumped into a lost Geraint Thomas on a training ride in Wales
Thomas added that both he and Froome can finish well at the Tour if they ride as they did this year.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The Cardiff-born pro rode the Giro in 2017, but was forced to abandon on stage 13 due to injuries sustained in a crash earlier in the week.
He added: “As long as we don’t race against each other, we both have our ambitions and that works well in training because we both push each other.”
Thomas, 32, has had the season of his life, winning both the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France.
He picked up two stage wins back-to-back at the 2018 Tour, also becoming the only Brit to ever win atop the legendary Alpe d’Huez.
>>> The all-time list of British male pro road cyclists
Fame has followed, with Thomas recently appearing on BBC’s The Graham Norton Show alongside Nicole Kidman.
But it was not plain sailing to the Tour win, as Thomas earlier this year revealed the tension with Team Sky bosses over who should be the protected rider late in the race.
Next season poses an intriguing question for Sky – do they back Froome to win a record-equalling fifth Tour de France, or work towards a second consecutive win for 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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
A Stars and Stripes jersey and cold hard cash: the 2024 Gravel National Championships to offer a $40,000 prize purse for elite races
The US Gravel National Championships will return to Gering, Nebraska, on September 8
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis 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