Tadej Pogačar is using extra defensively within the third week of the Giro d’Italia, to avoid wasting vitality for the Tour de France, however Geraint Thomas has opted for a extra pragmatic strategy.
Pogačar and Thomas are the one big-name riders within the peloton aiming to peak in each May and July however have totally different approaches to the Grand Tour double. Pogačar has received 5 phases and constructed a virtually unbeatable lead within the first half of the race.
Thomas is focusing on a spot on the rostrum in Rome, by ticking off the phases day after day.
“I’m positively not concerning the Tour, positively not,” Thomas advised Cyclingnews and GCN when requested if he was serious about July whereas racing in Italy in May.
“I’m simply serious about tomorrow, the subsequent one after which a pleasant week off. Then I can begin trying ahead.”
Thomas warmed down on the rollers within the shadow of the Ineos Grenadiers crew bus as a rain bathe rolled in to soak Padova after stage 18.
He completed safely within the peloton as Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) received the high-speed dash. Teammate Thymen Arensman suffered a late puncture and needed to chase to get again into the peloton however in any other case, it was an untroubled, if quick day for Thomas and the opposite GC contenders.
“You’re all the time hoping for a little bit of a better day and it was something however that, however we must always have identified. It’s been like that each day,” Thomas mentioned of the 178 km stage.
“We have been using fairly onerous at occasions and clearly the motorbikes play an enormous half in that. They have been retaining the hole low, after which he’d let it exit, after which he’d convey it again down. It was simply a type of days, actually, and particularly mentally. You change off a bit however now there are a number of huge days to come back.
The 2024 Giro d’Italia ends on Sunday afternoon with a parade stage across the Italian capital. But for Thomas, the battle for second place with Dani Martinez ends in Basso del Grappa after the double climb of the mighty Monte Grappa.
Friday’s 157 km stage to Sappada has a mountainous finale however seems excellent for a breakaway as Pogačar and his UAE Team Emirates squad proceed to handle their race.
“I’m solely counting two phases, we do not depend the final one,” Thomas mentioned, persevering with his ‘daily’ and compartmentalization strategy.
“Tomorrow (on Friday in Sappada) is one other huge day, after which clearly Saturday is the largest one.”
Thomas is 8:04 down on Pogačar within the general classification and simply 22 seconds behind Martinez. He is happy however nonetheless formidable.
“You all the time need extra,” Thomas mentioned.
“I believe I might be pleased with how I’ve ridden to date. I have never made too many errors and simply tried the whole lot I may. Two extra huge days, and we’ll see the place I find yourself.”
It’s robust towards Dani. He’s using rather well. I get on with him. I believe it is nearly attempting to see what occurs.”
