"A stage win would be amazing" - Geraint Thomas not aiming for GC in final Tour de France

One of an elite list of former Maillot Jaune winners on the startlist of the 2025 Tour de France, Geraint Thomas has different goals to the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard this time around. Rather than mixing it up at the top of the GC, the 39-year-old Welshman is hunting for one last stage win at the final Tour of his career.

Since his first Tour de France appearance all the way back in 2007 for Barloworld, Thomas has endured many highs and lows over the course of his 13 Tour appearances to date. "Back then that I had no idea what to expect, it was just this whole new world," recalls the 2018 Tour winner in quotes collected by Cycling News. "Whereas now, 14th Tour, you do kind of know what to expect."

"It doesn't make it any easier, but just a lot of experience, a lot of hard yards, and yeah, obviously my place in the team is probably different," he continues. "Back then, I was the young British kid there, because it started in London but now hopefully I can help the boys navigate the Tour. But I'm still just excited and still looking forward to one last big lap."

As already touched upon however, Thomas won't be targeting another podium finish or a fairy-tale second Maillot Jaune for his farewell. Instead, the realistic Welshman is looking to make himself useful for teammate Carlos Rodriguez, and go for a stage win himself. "I'd love to just be competitive and go for a stage, I think a stage win would be amazing," he explains. "But you've still got to be in super great condition for that."

"Then obviously, being alongside Carlos deep into the mountains and helping him, as much as I can, really off the bike as much as on it, and he knows what he's doing anyway. But I think just playing that role in the team of just trying to share my wisdom," adds the vastly experienced INEOS Grenadiers star.

Thomas' Tour de France swansong was momentarily at risk last month when he crashed out of the Tour de Suisse. Thankfully, however, he has managed to get himself back into a racing fit condition. "It was horrific, mate, I've just done incredible to get to this point, think I'm an absolute legend," he joked. "But no, in all seriousness, it wasn't that bad. It was more a precautionary thing with the team and the fact that I got my foot caught behind and twisted my hamstring and calf."

"I got some good training in behind the motorbike with my coach, Adrian, and did as best I could," continues the three-time Tour stage winner. "It's frustrating because it obviously would have been nice to see exactly where I was compared to everyone else, rather than just training, because it's always different, but no issues now and all good from my side."

And whilst this final Tour de France appearance ramps up the spectacle of Thomas' retirement tour, the Welshman isn't yet ready to reflect on his iconic spell in the peloton. "It's been an unbelievable career, but it's something that I still don't really think about. It's always been about what's coming, and I'll reflect on it once I'm actually done," he says. "It's been a hell of a ride so far, but there's still one more big chapter to come. So, get stuck into that, do all we can and reflect afterwards."