"A fair few guys from my generation stopping" - Chris Froome says Geraint Thomas' retirement brings cycling to the 'end of an era'

Earlier this week, Geraint Thomas confirmed that 2025 will be his final year as a professional bike rider. Former teammates Chris Froome, spent many years riding with the Welshman for Team Sky and the INEOS Grenadiers, and according to the four-time Tour de France winner, Thomas' retirement brings cycling to the end of an era.

"I think now the decision is official, you do start to reflect because when you're in it, it's just one thing after the next, year after year, so you don't really appreciate it. I guess at the time you enjoy it but I don't think you sit back and reflect and think, so there will be a bit of that this year," Thomas told BBC Breakfast earlier this week, officially announcing his retirement intentions to the world. "I'm still really enjoying it, I still feel competitive and the last year has been good, but I think the timing's right. With my family, I'm looking forward to moving back to Cardiff."

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Ahead of stage 3 of the 2025 UAE Tour, Froome, now riding for the Israel - Premier Tech team, gave a warm tribute to Thomas in quotes collected by Cycling News. "It's certainly coming to the end of an era, with a fair few guys from my generation stopping," reflects the 39-year-old. "He's had an amazing career I think, during a huge period of British cycling as well."

"We've had so much success over the years and there's a lot of young talent coming through. But it might still be a while until we see another Grand Tour winner," Froome continues, casting an eye at the state of British Cycling in 2025.

As for his own career, Froome still refuses to officially confirm this will be his last season in the peloton. "I'm very much still enjoying it. Still feel extremely grateful to be doing what I love, that's the biggest sentiment I have really and just make the most of what could potentially be my final season," Froome explains. "There's no easy way [to get back to a Grand Tour], it's just about going through the processes, all the sacrifices that come with that, the time on training camps, and the bar is only getting higher. So I've just got to keep my head down, keep working hard and as I am nearing the end of my career it would be great to get back to another Grand Tour this year."

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"A great teammate, a great leader and a wonderful person" - INEOS Grenadiers pay tribute to Geraint Thomas after retirement announcement

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