Geraint Thomas: 'I was suffering all day'
The Welshman lost more time as he continued to suffer from injuries picked up in a crash on stage nine to Blockhaus


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Geraint Thomas, only three days after crashing, says that he was suffering all day in the Giro d'Italia's undulating 11th stage to Bagno di Romagna.
Thomas maintained his position as far as possible, but the pace became too much soon after the peloton crossed from Tuscany to Emilia Romagna.
>>> Can Tom Dumoulin win the 2017 Giro d’Italia?
He slipped behind on the final Monte Fumaiolo climb and chased the favourites all the way to the finish line 25 kilometres later. He lost 48 seconds.
"I was suffering all day. I had a really sore knee as well. I was just trying to get to the finish as best as I could," Thomas said. His knees and elbow showed dried blood marks.
"I felt worse than yesterday. Yesterday was only an hour but today was four and a half or whatever. I was just suffering all day, I wasn't good out there."
Thomas flew through the Sagrantino hills in Umbria on stage 10 and held the lead in the time trial stage. Only Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) could top him for victory and took over the race lead by doing so.
The performance gave hope that Thomas was back on track following his crash. He fell with team-mates including Mikel Landa due to a parked police motorbike on Sunday. On stage 11, that hope began to vanish.
"I was with [Steven] Kruijswijk and there are a few of us, he had a team-mate as well," added Thomas.
"We were riding quite well together but they were going for it up front. Phil [Deignan] was up the road and he came back and helped in the end but I just couldn't really close much."
Thomas slid from 11th to 14th, at 6-21, in the overall classification. Some followers wonder if he will keep riding for the overall or drop out so that he can go for stage wins from an escape.
"I am taking it day by day to to see and how I get through the next two days, to see how I am on the next GC stage [Oropa on Saturday] and after that, I guess I'll have a clear picture and be able to decide," Thomas said.
"I'm just looking forward to getting to the hotel and going to bed! But the next couple of easy days will hopefully play to my advantage."
Landa's time loss from the Blockhaus stage means that the race leader will allow him to go free in the early escape. The Basque rider tried with a large group on Wednesday and later broke free with Omar Fraile (Dimension Data), the eventual stage winner.
"I am going day after day now, just going for stages and not for the overall," Landa said. "I'm trying to keep my motivation, staying attentive all day for something."
Landa rubbed his left thigh, where he feels the most pain after his crash.
"It was a fast climb, and I was with good riders. I went with Omar, but I couldn't stay with him. On that climb, Omar told me, 'Come one, come on!' But I just couldn't stay with him. I'm happy all the same."
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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.
-
-
Best long sleeved cycling jerseys 2023 for fall and spring riding, reviewed and rated
A long sleeved cycling jersey is a riding wardrobe staple, providing protection against cooler temperatures
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
‘Infectious positivity’ helped Jack Rootkin-Gray earn his first WorldTour ride with EF Education-EasyPost
Brit to make WorldTour debut in 2024 with Jonathan Vaughters managed American team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers: 'We hope Geraint Thomas does the Tour de France another couple of times'
The Welshman and his team have opened the door to his Tour return
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I’ve got the rest of my life to chill and drink cocktails' - Geraint Thomas going all-in at the Vuelta a España
Ineos Grenadiers leader ready for Spanish Grand Tour, three months after finishing second at Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Geraint Thomas to lead Ineos Grenadiers at 2023 Vuelta a España
Welshman joins Vuelta debutants Filippo Ganna and and Kim Heiduk in British team's line-up
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
By Vern Pitt Published
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published