Geraint Thomas admits he’s disappointed not to win Tour de France 2019 but proud to help Egan Bernal
The 2018 champion reflects on the last few seasons after finishing second
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Geraint Thomas has admitted he is disappointed not to win a second Tour de France, but said it was “incredible” to support Egan Bernal to victory.
The Team Ineos duo finished first and second in Paris, with Bernal becoming the first ever Colombian to win the Tour and the youngest rider to take home the yellow jersey in the post-war era.
Thomas looked to be the favourite in the opening two weeks of the race, but it was Bernal who rode away from their rivals to usurp long-standing leader Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) on the penultimate mountain stage.
>>> Was the Tour de France 2019 the greatest edition in history?
Speaking after the final stage, Welshman Thomas said: “Two years ago I was here with my arm in a sling, with a broken collarbone and devastated I wasn’t able to ride my bike and two years on, I’m disappointed not to have won a second Tour.
“I’m proud of how I managed to get myself into good shape. It hasn’t been a smooth run into the Tour or during it really, but this team is incredible and it was a pleasure to be a part of Egan’s first of many [victories] and to be stood on the podium in second is still a big achievement.”
The 2019 Tour was an unpredictable ride until the final weekend in the Alps, with Thomas in second and trailing Alaphilippe.
Thomas had looked like the favourite to take over the yellow jersey if Alaphilippe cracked, by the Frenchman’s defiance set up a tense closing weekend.
But Bernal was the strongest in the Alps, taking back some time over the Galibier before delivering the fatal blow to Alaphilippe at the top of the Col de L’Iseran on stage 19, which was cut short due to a freak hailstorm and landslides.
The excitement over the three weeks took its toll on all the riders, even an experienced Grand Tour pro like Thomas.
“I’m glad to be going home and closing the front door and switching off,” the 33-year-old added.
“Emotionally, mentally, and physically it’s been draining and it’s still enjoyable – it’s the pinnacle of the sport and what you dream of when you were a kid, but at the same time it’s been hard work and I’m looking forward to switching off.”
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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.
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