Geraint Thomas: 'I'd rather be having the race of my life and get booed than be dropped and get cheered'
Thomas willing to take the abuse while he enjoys the yellow jersey
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Geraint Thomas does not mind the occasional boo or anti-Team Sky shout if he is having the race of his life in the Tour de France's yellow jersey.
Thomas emerged from the first week as a bona fide contender for the 2018 edition. He won at La Rosière summit finish on stage 11 and then in the yellow jersey the next day won up the famous Alpe d'Huez climb.
Today, he enjoyed the fifth day in yellow, and although some boos make their way from the spectators on the roadside or near the Team Sky bus, he is enjoying a career high.
"It's not a nice situation because it's a highlight of my career, it's a massive honour and a privilege to be wearing the jersey and it's been an incredible race so far," Thomas said after the 15th stage in Carcassonne of some of the negativity around the race towards his team.
"There's obviously been a bit of negativity which isn't nice, but you have to stay strong in your head and crack on. The way I see it, I would rather be in this jersey, having the race of my life and getting booed for whatever than being dropped on the first climb and everyone cheering you."
Watch: Tour de France 2018 stage 15 highlights
Team Sky have had their share of negativity over the years at the Tour, including spectators throwing urine at the team and one punching Richie Porte.
Earlier in the race Luke Rowe rode up to a fan and took down a sign that read "Sky go home" ahead of one stage. He also remarked on the jeers at Tour teams' presentation, saying "it wasn't the best."
>>> Five talking points from stage 15 of the Tour de France
"It's not a nice situation, and obviously we would prefer everyone to love us, but I'm not sure it's anything we've done, or especially that I've done, to deserve it," Thomas explained. "You would have to ask the public, and maybe it's a reflection of the way we're perceived in the French media."
Thomas enjoyed a relatively easy day stage 15 today, which closes the second phase of the race. The race resumes after a rest day tomorrow with three stages in the Pyrénées. The Welshmen takes confidence from the days so far in the famous yellow jersey.
"It's certainly a lift when you are wearing this jersey in the race, something I always dreamed of doing as a kid, so yeah, it does give you confidence."
Thank you for reading 10 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
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.
-
-
Marlen Reusser time trials to Gent-Wevelgem victory with 40km solo attack
SD Worx rider takes wrong turn but still wins by almost three minutes
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Christophe Laporte triumphs at Gent-Wevelgem in dominant Jumbo-Visma one-two
The Frenchman broke free with Wout van Aert with 52km to go
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Geraint Thomas targets Giro d'Italia after disappointment over Tour de France route
Welshman says he doesn't know whether he will be riding for GC in May or not yet
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Geraint Thomas might be done with the Tour de France
Welshman says that 2023 might see him head to the Giro d'Italia in what could be his last year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Commonwealth Games 2022 preview: the men’s and women’s road race
Both races will take place on Sunday 7 August in the town of Warwick
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Mark Cavendish withdraws from Tour de Pologne to focus on Commonwealth Games
British National Champion due to compete in the road race on Sunday for the Isle of Man
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Commonwealth Games 2022 preview: men’s and women’s time trials
Both races against the clock take place in Wolverhampton on Thursday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Dave Brailsford admits Geraint Thomas proved Ineos management wrong at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers director of sport lauds performance of Welshman along with Tom Pidcock
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Geraint Thomas consolidates Tour de France podium spot
Ineos Grenadiers captain accepts that overturning advantage of Jonas Vingegaard or Tadej Pogačar will be 'hard'
By Vern Pitt • Last updated
-
Five things to look out for during week three of the Tour de France 2022
From Ineos Grenadiers trying something on to the sprinters' last gasp chances
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published