Geraint Thomas pinpoints Tadej Pogačar's 'Achilles heel' at Giro d'Italia
Welshman says race leader should "save" his teammates and "look after those pennies"


Geraint Thomas believes Tadej Pogačar’s "Achilles heel" at the Giro d’Italia lies in his UAE Team Emirates squad, whose ability the Slovenian "might overestimate".
Going into Tuesday's tenth stage, Pogačar leads the general classification at the race with a commanding advantage of two minutes and 40 seconds. He has also already won three stages: two mountaintop finishes and an individual time trial.
Speaking on his podcast, Watts Occuring, during Monday's rest day, Thomas said Pogačar should look to "save" his team-mates for more challenging stages to come.
"His Achilles heel is the fact he's so strong and he wants to win, and his team also wants to win," the Ineos Grenadiers rider told his co-host, teammate Luke Rowe. "It seems like they get a bit emotional with it. All the rest of his team are normal bike riders. They'll have a good day, then the next day, they'll be not so good, whereas Pog's good all the time.
"I think he might overestimate their ability sometimes. I don't mean any disrespect there by saying that. They need to sort of look after those pennies, don't they?"
On stage eight, which Pogačar won atop the Prati di Tivo, UAE Team Emirates rode most of the day on the front of the peloton, keeping the breakaway on a tight leash. The race leader revealed afterwards that his teammate, Mikkel Bjerg, told him he was "all in for chasing the group in front" to set up the stage win.
Referring to this day in particular, Thomas said UAE Team Emirates "could have backed off if they wanted to. But because the break was just there – it was only at a minute and a half or something – they just rode and kept it within distance, and went for it.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Why do you even need to do that?" The Welshman added. "Save the boys, because there's definitely big, big days to come, and there's going to be a point where they might need all hands on deck. Or at least someone other than [Rafał] Majka as well to be there."
In a press conference held during the first rest day, Pogačar suggested his team hadn't received the respect they deserved at the race.
"I am just used to it now that the media and competitors try to undermine them," the pink-jersey-wearer said. "Everyone can say this but we will show otherwise. We've proven over and over again that we're one of the best teams, even if we're not full of the biggest names."
The Giro d’Italia continues on Tuesday with its tenth stage and third mountaintop finish, this time at Cusano Mutri.
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
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is fluent in French and Spanish, and holds a master's degree in International Journalism. Since 2020, he has been the host of The TT Podcast, offering race analysis and rider interviews.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill, and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides. His best result is 28th in a hill-climb competition, albeit out of 40 entrants.
-
REI expands its cycling business, becomes exclusive US retailer for Van Rysel gravel bikes
The expansion further includes partnerships with Rocky Mountain, Swift Industries, Stio and Peppermint Cycling
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I had something left at the end' - Primož Roglič wins first race of 2025, beating Juan Ayuso on stage 4 of Volta a Catalunya
Slovenian wins summit finish at Montserrat Mil·lenari and takes race lead
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar commemorates Strade Bianche crash with limited edition t-shirt - here's how you can buy it
Part of profits from new t-shirt will go to world champion's charity foundation
By Tom Davidson 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
-
'I came pretty close' - Tom Pidcock left with mixed feelings after finishing second to Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Pidcock explains he didn’t want to ‘take advantage’ of world champion’s 'unfortunate' crash
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Not the best way to win a race' - Tadej Pogačar comes back from dramatic crash to claim third Strade Bianche victory
World champion in 'a lot of pain' after falling into a ditch
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar crashes into ditch at Strade Bianche, remounts bike to continue
World champion goes on to win race following rare crash
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'When he starts his Tour preparation, we’ll then see Jonas 2.0' - Jonas Vingegaard heads to Paris-Nice almost at full strength, coach says
Tim Heemskerk says the Danish star is not interested in outside noise as he attempts second stage race win of the year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's nothing we can do' - Tadej Pogačar is 'almost impossible to beat', says Alberto Bettiol
The world champion is the overwhelming favourite to win Strade Bianche on Saturday
By Tom Davidson 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