Geraint Thomas set for Tour de France co-leadership with Froome after strong Critérium du Daupiné performance

Welshman’s Dauphiné form suggests he’s on the right path to start Tour as Sky’s co-leader

Geraint Thomas on stage five of the Critérium du Dauphiné

(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

The Critérium du Dauphiné has almost always been a happy hunting ground for Team Sky. Winners of the title five times in the last seven editions, they are now well placed to add a sixth yellow and blue jersey to their haul with Geraint Thomas well clear of his main rivals on both time and, apparently, form going into the final weekend in the Alps.

The Dauphiné has long been a key preparation race for the Tour de France, and Thomas is certainly treating it as such. As a result of Chris Froome’s anti-doping travails that resulted in the possibility that the four-time Tour champion might not be able to defend his title in July, the Welshman has been working towards the Tour with a view to starting it as Sky’s leader. Even though Froome now looks increasingly likely to line up at the start in the Vendée on July 7, Thomas’s focus and status remain unchanged.

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