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’ve been saying to lots of people that that is the final time I’m going to race for GC. But give it every week and I’ll in all probability begin desirous about one thing else,” Thomas mentioned, the fatigue and feelings of driving a twentieth Grand Tour and taking a fifth podium spot clear to see.
“I actually do not know. I’ll relaxation up, go to the Tour, assist the boys there, attempt to go for a stage after which assess for the long run.
“I’m truly trying ahead to that. It’s an enormous 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 Team Emirates) and Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) after one other dogged show of Grand Tour racing. Last yr he was second behind Primož Roglič, the Slovenian snatching victory within the ultimate mountain time trial. This yr, Pogačar was on one other planet, with Thomas racing towards Martínez for the rostrum spots.
“I actually loved it. We had group of fellows. It’s truly 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’m in all probability happier than this time final yr, once I was second. That’s due to the best way it went.
“Both instances I will be pleased with how myself and the group dedicated to it and did the perfect we may. We simply bought crushed by Pogačar, who’s on a distinct degree. Danny rode extra constantly and was higher all through the three weeks. I will be comfortable and pleased with how we simply dedicated and did our greatest.”
Thomas celebrated his thirty eighth birthday throughout Saturday’s ultimate 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 pleased 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 towards a brick wall at instances. I would not say it was pleasing, however that was in all probability the day I’m most pleased with. Now it’s over, is essentially the most pleasing bit.”
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