Geraint Thomas and his Ineos Grenadiers teammates cracked open a beer and celebrated a profitable Giro d’Italia within the shadows of the Colosseum in Rome on Sunday, with the Welshman admitting that his third place might be the ultimate time he targets the general classification in a Grand Tour.
“I have been saying to lots of people that that is the final time I’ll race for GC. However give it every week and I will in all probability begin interested by one thing else,” Thomas mentioned, the fatigue and feelings of using a twentieth Grand Tour and taking a fifth podium spot clear to see.
“I actually do not know. I will relaxation up, go to the Tour, assist the boys there, attempt to go for a stage after which assess for the longer term.
“I am really trying ahead to that. It is a large problem. I’ll clean up, keep off the beer after having fun with tonight after which keep on it.”
Thomas completed third behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates) and Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) after one other dogged show of Grand Tour racing. Final yr he was second behind Primož Roglič, the Slovenian snatching victory within the closing mountain time trial. This yr, Pogačar was on one other planet, with Thomas racing in opposition to Martínez for the rostrum spots.
“I actually loved it. We had an excellent group of fellows. It is really gone actually quick, however it looks as if a lifetime in the past that we have began in Torino,” Thomas mentioned.
“It’s a bit deja vu like. It’s bizarre as a result of I used to be third this yr and I am in all probability happier than this time final yr, after I was second. That’s due to the best way it went.
“Each occasions I may be happy with how myself and the workforce dedicated to it and did one of the best we may. We simply received overwhelmed by Pogačar, who’s on a unique stage. Danny rode extra constantly and was higher all through the three weeks. I may be completely happy and happy with how we simply dedicated and did our greatest.”
Thomas celebrated his thirty eighth birthday throughout Saturday’s closing mountain stage over Monte Grappa however it was a day of struggling as he fought to defend his podium spot.
“I feel yesterday is a day to be happy with as a result of I simply felt so unhealthy. It was simply such a psychological recreation,” Thomas defined.
“It felt like I used to be simply beating my head in opposition to a brick wall at occasions. I would not say it was fulfilling, however that was in all probability the day I’m most happy with. Now it’s over, is probably the most fulfilling bit.”
Get limitless entry to all of our protection of the Giro d’Italia – together with journalists’ reporting, breaking information and evaluation on the bottom from the finale in Rome and extra. Discover out extra.
