Geraint Thomas looks to be in outstanding shape as he is set to race in his first ever time trial World Championships.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider is deep into his preparation for the leadership at the Giro d’Italia, which starts next weekend, but also has a chance at a great result in the Worlds TT in Imola on Friday (September 25).
After appearing off the pace in the Critérium du Dauphiné earlier this year, Thomas appears to be back to his best after his second place finish in Tirreno-Adriatico, which he secured thanks to a strong showing in the final stage TT against some of the best in the world.
Speaking via video call on the eve of the elite men’s time trial, the Welshman said: “The course is fine but I would have liked a more undulating course ideally. But from the last day of Tirreno, I was in the mix there.
“I am just hoping to be there or thereabouts tomorrow. Obviously I am going to give it everything I’ve got and try to get the best result possible.”
On the plan-flat 10km race against the clock in Tirreno, Thomas jumped a place in the overall standings as he powered his way to fourth place on the stage, just two seconds behind reigning world TT champion (and team-mate) Rohan Dennis.
The Imola course is expected to be rapid with almost no climbing over the 31.7km course, but Thomas said he’d prefer a little more undulation.
He said: “I haven’t ridden this one yet, but from what people have told me it’s pretty much pan-flat. If it had a few more lumps it would be nicer, but at the end of the day, a course is a course, just go out there and put out some watts.”
Thomas had been scheduled to race the elite TT in Yorkshire in 2019, but he opted to pull out at the last minute after a demanding edition of the Tour de France.
He was replaced by John Archibald at short notice, who took 14th place.
But with the redesigned 2020 season, Thomas has the chance to ride the Worlds in great form.
He said: “Once the season was rescheduled, it was always in the back of my mind, first time I’ll be able to go to the Worlds with a bit of condition, whether that’s coming straight out of the Tour or the way it is now. It’s a shame I won’t be able to do the road race, but just really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Of course another motivation is preparation for the Giro, where Thomas will be leading Ineos after he wasn’t taken to the Tour de France.
On paper the Giro route suits Thomas, with three time trials to split up the GC.
Thomas said: “I've never done the Worlds TT for a start, I’m always on my knees by the end of the season after a typical year. But obviously this is anything but.
“I’m feeling pretty good and I would have wanted to do the TT anyway, but obviously having three TTs at the Giro gives an extra importance to it.”
Alex is the 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 and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has 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 journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Last lap crash denies Tom Pidcock chance of victory at X2O Badkamers Flandriencross
Pidcock contests his final races this weekend before the World Championships next Sunday
-
Vaccination rates of teams vary between 40 to 100 per cent as UCI updates Covid rules ahead of new season
Cycling's governing body conducted a survey over the winter and said the response was 'satisfactory'
-
Road World Championships 2022 route announced: Australia races to suit puncheurs
The local loop takes in a brutally steep climb every lap to whittle down the field
-
Geraint Thomas: 'I had the best run into the Tour I've had, it's not like I've suddenly become a crap rider'
After a run of bad luck, the Welshman wants to shake up his regular race programme and enjoy his last few years in the peloton, as well as remaining in the hunt for victories
-
Tadej Pogačar adds World Championships and Giro d'Italia to his wish list but is not done with the Tour de France
The Slovenian says he's still hungry to win at the Tour despite his dominance over the last year
-
Jasper Stuyven has his say on Belgian storm after World Championships
'All of a sudden we’re so stupid' says Stuyven after his fourth place in Leuven
-
'The girls who were still there can blame themselves': Annemiek van Vleuten critical of team-mates at World Championships
Demi Vollering was due to be a key rider for the sprint but didn't have the legs after multiple mechanicals
-
'Remco Evenepoel was the best man in the race after Julian Alaphilippe': Lefevere baffled by Belgian tactics at World Championships
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step boss is happy to keep the rainbow jersey in the team but questions the Belgians' ride
-
Road World Championships 2021: Strava data shows brutality of race around Flanders
Remco Evenepoel, Michael Valgren, Dylan van Baarle and more posted their rides to the site
-
Thomas Voeckler: 'We wanted to attack earlier than everyone else at Worlds so they would think we were idiots'
French boss happily accepts fine for coaching Julian Alaphilippe when it wasn't permitted
