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
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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 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
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.
-
'Why are other bikes so expensive?' - Van Rysel says it's not 'cheating the customer' as WorldTour bike undercuts competition
Van Rysel's flagship bike, as used by Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, is just the start of Decathlon's super bike journey
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We found out on social media' - British team Lifeplus-Wahoo on their Tour de France Femmes invite snub
There will be no British squads at the race for the first time in its history
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Geraint Thomas to lead 'aggressive' Ineos Grenadiers
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was one of the hardest days of my life' - Rain and cold lay waste to Tour of the Alps
Juanpe López takes stage three victory, while Geraint Thomas finishes three minutes down in inclement Austrian weather
By Tom Davidson Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'Losing the plot in public - it's mental' - Geraint Thomas on Patrick Lefevere's criticism of Julian Alaphilippe
Ineos Grenadiers rider says he feels sorry for his peers who are criticised in public by the Soudal Quick-Step boss
By Adam Becket Published
-
Geraint Thomas to race Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in 2024
Welshman will return to the Giro in May before heading to the French Grand Tour as part of the Ineos Grenadiers squad
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A complete history of Ineos Grenadiers kits, from Adidas to Gobik, via Rapha
The British team switch to Gobik in 2024 after two years with Bioracer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: Professional cyclists deserve a life too
Perhaps 12 nights out at the end of the season shouldn't be too bad a thing, really
By Adam Becket Published
-
18-year-old American becomes Ineos Grenadiers first signing for 2024
AJ August will turn pro with British team next season
By Tom Thewlis Published