‘The main thing is having no regrets’: Geraint Thomas sees opportunities in Tour de France high mountains
‘We’re still in a good place’ says the Welshman on the races’ second rest day


Geraint Thomas was in a bullish mood on the Tour's second rest day as he sat in the third podium spot in the general classification hinting he may try a banzai attack to try and claim a second Tour title.
The 36-year-old said: “It depends on the risk, if it’s some crazy long-range thing, but to be honest, I’d be proud to make the podium again especially after the last couple of years to prove people wrong. The main thing is having no regrets and knowing that I along with the team tried everything we could."
Thomas is 1-17 away from the yellow jersey of Tadej Pogačar.
The Ineos Grenadiers leader added: “We’re just trying to look forward and stay positive. We’re still in a good place for myself and Yatesy [Adam Yates] and Tom [Pidcock] is still up there too , it could be a lot worse, the main thing is having no regrets."
A three week grand tour is a long block of racing to get through and Thomas knows all too well that anything can happen. After the gilet incident in the first week, it’s crucial to avoid any further mistakes.
The Welshman explained that the risks of losing time are present for everyone including Pogačar but that so far, the race leader has shown himself to be at his best.
When asked how Pogačar compares to former multiple Tour winners like Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Froome in his prime, Thomas said: “He’s just a level above you know. I think Nibali and Contador were great climbers. Contador improved his time trialling and Froomey could do both.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Pogačar has got everything else though. He’s got the sprints, he can ride the cobbles, he can do everything.”
However, earlier in the year Pogačar was visibly unnerved at the Tour of Flanders where he managed to come forth in a two-up sprint and Thomas believes it’s possible to put him under pressure again.
“At Flanders he was the strongest guy in the race, he was phenomenal but that was the first time I saw him rattled at that finish,” Thomas said, “I think the heat could play a big part as well, it’s certainly forecast to be coming and will definitely add something to the race."
At the 2021 edition of the race, Pogačar showed signs of weakness on Mont Ventoux when put under pressure by Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma). The Slovenian had later noted that the hot weather that day had played a big part.
Looking ahead to a big week of climbing in the Alps, Thomas explained that the altitude will play a big part in deciding how the rest of the race develops. In 2018, Thomas won on Alpe D’Huez on his way to overall victory and added that the climb would prove to be a stern test once again.
Prior to Thursday’s summit finish on Alpe d’Huez, the race will tackle the giant Col du Granon. Wednesday’s summit finish will be the highest point the Tour de France reaches this year but Thomas added that altitude wasn’t something he feared.
“Generally, I feel pretty good at altitude so that’s going to be interesting. I think the Granon day will be the first real big test, we’ll see wherever it shapes up from there,” he said.
“Alpe d’Huez is just phenomenal to race up as well. At Suisse [Tour de Suisse] I think we had the hottest week of racing I’ve ever done, so that will stand us in good stead, how we deal with that is always good. Thursday’s going to be the third day in the Alps so that will be decisive too” Thomas said.
“We already know that Vingegaard and Pogačar are riding really strongly. Either way it’s going to be an exciting week” he added.
Standing on the podium in Paris again would be a huge achievement for the Ineos Grenadiers rider but in the next two weeks, his focus is still on the top step.
Team tactics
Having multiple cards to play is something that Thomas sees as being a key weapon for Ineos Grenadiers. When asked whether Tom Pidcock could be used as bait to force riders to chase him in the stages to come, Thomas was coy and careful not to give too much away.
“It’s one thing having the numbers and another having the right situation to actually use them,” Thomas said “obviously you’ve got Pogačar and Jumbo up there as well who aren’t just going to let something happen. It’s about finding opportunities when they come up but they’ll be making sure that they don’t lose that second place for themselves if anything happens,” he added.
Tadej Pogačar may be in the driving seat for now, but it’s a long way to Paris and from the Ineos Grenadiers perspective, it’s all still very much to play for.
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 has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
Elisa Longo Borghini emerges as Flanders favourite with Dwars door Vlaanderen victory
The Italian rider soloed to her 50th career win ahead of an elite pack of chasers
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'We did a beautiful race up until 10km to go' - Visma-Lease a Bike pull defeat from the jaws of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen
With such a difficult second place on Wednesday, could this performance affect confidence ahead of the Tour of Flanders?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Can anyone stop Primož Roglič or Juan Ayuso from winning the Giro d’Italia?
Roglič and Ayuso's form suggest they are the two outright favourites for overall victory in Rome next month
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Extra wildcard team approved for Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España
Number of teams to increase from 22 to 23 at men's Grand Tours
By Tom Davidson 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
-
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
-
Jonas Vingegaard out of Volta a Catalunya after Paris-Nice crash
Visma-Lease a Bike say two-time Tour de France winner needs more time to recover from wrist injury sustained in France last week
By Tom Thewlis 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
-
Matteo Jorgenson aiming to 'set the bar higher' and target a Grand Tour after securing second Paris-Nice title
American explained that targeting a win in one of the sport's biggest three-week races was now the logical next step in his career
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Matteo Jorgenson rules out Tour de France leadership after Jonas Vingegaard's withdrawal from Paris-Nice
The American is on the cusp of a second consecutive victory at the Race to the Sun
By Tom Thewlis Published