MTN-Qhubeka: We tried to sign Geraint Thomas
According to MTN-Qhubeka's Brian Smith, the African team attempted to negotiate a 'loan' of Geraint Thomas from Sky for 2015
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f8JiiTHsaGjrptdq57VbQ3-415-80.jpg)
Geraint Thomas on stage six of the 2015 Tour de France
Geraint Thomas is proving invaluable for Team Sky's Chris Froome in the Tour de France and riding his way to a potential podium spot, but he could have been doing so for South African team MTN-Qhubeka had a winter deal gone through.
MTN's team manager, Brian Smith contacted Sky Principal David Brailsford while he was building his team during the off-season to see if Thomas was on loan for 2015. Brailsford said would not consider such a move, however.
Brailsford told Cycling Weekly: "We wouldn't lend him to the Queen!"
At the hot and sticky stage finish in Rodez on Friday, where Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) won and Thomas helped Froome keep his yellow jersey, Brailsford was busy and could not add more.
Smith, who stood by MTN's white and black bus five metres away, explained that they needed talent and a ticket to ride the 2015 Tour on a wildcard invitation.
"I am a fan of Geraint Thomas," Smith said. "I thought, 'If they are going in for Froome, why don't you give Geraint an opportunity?'
"I just got in touch with Dave as a friend, and said, ‘What's the opportunities?’ Just a loan for one year, predominately so that we could get in the Tour, because if you sign him, you are in the Tour, and get into the top 10.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I knew he could do this [type of ride] already, that's while I was trying to do something with Sky and Dave Brailsford. I just think of what he could have done if he wasn't doing all that hard work for Froome. He's a talent.”
It is unclear how far talks went between the two over the 29-year-old Welshman.
"I thought, 'Why not just ask?'" Smith added. "If you don't ask, you don't get."
Smith signed several riders over the off-season from WorldTour teams with his Professional Continental-level team looking to earn an invitation to the Tour and support its Africans. The team, among others, signed Steve Cummings, Edvald Boasson Hagen from Sky, and Serge Pauwels.
"I need someone else to support these guys [Louis Meintjes and Merhawi Kudus] in the mountains and help them because we can't see everything in the team car. Serge has been great, but looking forward, we have to have strength in that area to help these kids."
He admitted that Thomas would not have had the same level of team support in the classics and Tour as he has with Sky. This year, Thomas won the Volta ao Algarve stage race, rode solo to E3 Harelbeke victory and finished second overall in the Tour de Suisse. He now sits fifth overall at 4-03 minutes behind Froome in the Tour, with Sky eyeing a podium finish for him in Paris.
Thomas’s current contract with Sky runs through to the end of 2016.
Video: Geraint Thomas - where it all began
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.
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ill Geraint Thomas battling to remain in Tour de France
The 2018 Tour de France winner is showing mild symptoms of Covid
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'It was damage limitation': Tom Pidcock, Jai Hindley react to losing time on Tour de France stage two
"There’s going to be minutes in three weeks. 21 seconds doesn't mean anything," says Tom Pidcock after first blows dealt from the favourites in Bologna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Geraint Thomas not picked by GB during his final Olympic cycle
Double gold medallist misses out on spot in five-man road team
By Adam Becket Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published