The thriller surrounding Caleb Ewan deepened throughout the Tour Down Under pre-race press convention when Geraint Thomas was requested concerning the Australian sprinter’s vanishing act.
Ewan returned to Australian WorldTour crew Jayco-AlUla final season after being made unwelcome at his earlier crew Lotto Dstny, however didn’t race the season’s marquee occasion, the Tour de France, because the crew focussed on fellow sprinter Dylan Groenewegen.
There have been rumours of a battle between Jayco-AlUla and Ewan and an tried mid-contract swap to Astana fell aside within the low season. This yr, Ewan is now not listed on the crew’s web site and was not on the Jayco-AlUla coaching camp, however the rider, his agent and his probably former crew are staying firmly mute on the subject.
While Thomas would not verify rumours that Ineos Grenadiers have been eager about signing Ewan, he definitely didn’t object to the suggestion. The crew presently has solely 27 riders signed for the season, effectively below the utmost of 30.
“I do know him effectively. He’s an excellent mate, and if he did come right here, that will be nice,” Thomas stated of Ewan, “Because clearly we lack a sprinter, and 40% of races finish in a dash, do not they? So it might be helpful to have. Hopefully it occurs, however I’ve simply heard rumours, so we’ll see.”
Last yr, Ineos launched their season with Jhonatan Narvaez successful the Tour Down Under criterium and putting second total behind Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) within the WorldTour race’s total classification. Narvaez has since moved to UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
Getting the season began with a hit, Thomas stated, “It’s essential, however it’s not the be-all and end-all. There are 10 months of the season. We began effectively final yr with Jhonny – I believe it is very important begin effectively, in fact, and we’re all motivated. But it is simply how we go for the following few months, actually. Magnus [Sheffield], Kwiato [Michał Kwiatkowski], all of the boys are motivated and powerful, and I’ll do my bit to assist them.”
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In putting the emphasis on his teammates, Thomas appeared to minimize his ambitions for the general classification in a Tour Down Under that has extra climbing than ever. That’s to not say he does not nonetheless have ambitions regardless of being within the remaining season of his profession.
“I’d like to win a race once more, something, to be sincere. I’d like to go to the Tour [de France] once more, probably attempting to go for a stage. The GC, not a lot anymore – and simply be an excellent, stable teammate for the boys as effectively … attempt to take some alternatives and simply get pleasure from it.”
Thomas confirmed in December that he would retire on the finish of the 2025 season, and if he races the Tour de France, it is going to be his final look. “I’m so much nearer to the tip than the beginning, so [I want to] take advantage of it.”
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