Geraint Thomas: Strength in depth the key for Team Sky's successful Tour de France
Geraint Thomas hails Team Sky's nine-man Tour de France squad, all of who will make the start line in Paris on the final stage

Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome after stage 20 of the Tour de France (Sunada)
Geraint Thomas safely shepherded his Sky leader into Morzine on Saturday all but ensuring Chris Froome a career third Tour de France victory and the team a fourth title.
Thomas was prominent at the front of the yellow jersey group that rode tempo on the Col de Joux Plane and then took no risks on the wet and narrow descent into the alpine town.
Froome finished the penultimate stage of the Tour with a smile on his face, surrounded by a full strength team that will embark on a processional run into Paris on Sunday.
“I rode the climb and we told Froomey to sit behind me, so we had three guys behind him in case anything happened,” a soaked Thomas said past the finish line. “I just went down nice and steady. We couldn’t have done any better.”
Highlights of stage 20 of the Tour de France
Thomas himself will finish the Tour 15th overall, equalling his career best result from the 2015 edition that inspired him to skip most of the spring classics this year and try and improve his placing here. That plan was shelved when he crashed in the opening week and injured ribs though.
The 29-year-old has supported Froome to all of his Tour victories to date and said the composition of the squad this year, which included newly recruited and familiar teammates, was a point of difference.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I think the strength in depth has been massive in the team,” Thomas said. “We’ve got a lot of good climbers here, probably the most we’ve had than any of the Tours. It’s the first time we’ve still got nine riders in the race so it’s been a great three weeks.
“The closer you get to the finish the more confident everyone gets.”
Froome will enter Sunday’s 21st and final stage with a four minute and five second advantage over Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) with Movistar’s Nairo Quintana, the Colombian that didn’t as anticipated really take it to the Briton, a further 16 seconds in arrears.
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
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.
-
Tom Pidcock’s Q36.5 receive Giro d’Italia wildcard invite along with Tudor Pro Cycling
Team Polti Visit Malta and VF Group BardianiCSF - Faizane also receive invitations from RCS
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Be seen all year round with 35% off Magicshine bike lights in the Amazon Big Spring Sale
This is your last chance to seize a deal on some of the best bike lights with daylight running features. Act fast, as the sale ends at midnight tonight
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's no bull****, that's what I've always liked' - Geraint Thomas's first BC coach Rod Ellingworth on the retiring Welshman
The 2018 Tour de France winner will step away from professional cycling at the end of the season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It is time to change goals' - Egan Bernal's coach confirms Ineos Grenadiers exit
'I want to thank all the cyclists I have had the opportunity to coach over the past ten years' Xabier Artetxe says in LinkedIn post
By Tom Thewlis Published