ANALYSIS | Cavendish, Froome and Thomas: The end of British cycling's golden era
Cycling
With the news breaking earlier today that Geraint Thomas is retiring from professional cycling at the end of the 2025 season, there is no denying that the golden era of British cycling is coming to a close.
Over the past two decades, British riders have dominated the sport like never before, winning Grand Tours, Olympic medals, and countless races with a golden generate of talent on all terrains. But with Thomas stepping away, alongside the recent retirement of Mark Cavendish and the uncertainty surrounding Chris Froome’s future, the era that defined British cycling is drawing to an end.
What next for British cycling?
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Geraint Thomas
Thomas won the Tour de France back in 2018, after years of riding in support of Chris Froome. In doing so, he became the first Welshman to win the Tour de France, and became an instant legend.
Thomas confirmed his decision on social media this morning, writing: “Thought it was time we made it official. Yes, this will be my last year in the peloton. It's not been a bad run eh? Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine being a pro for 19 years.
“There'll be lots of time to reflect but, before then, I've got some big races to prep for.”
Unlike some of his contemporaries, Thomas has long been one of the most universally liked figures in the peloton. From his early days on the track, winning Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012, to his Grand Tour success, he has always carried himself with a down-to-earth attitude that has endeared him to fans and fellow riders alike.
Just last month, his reputation as one of the most approachable stars in the sport was cemented last year when he worked with a brewery to hand out free non-alcoholic beers for those trying to complete dry-January. His career is full of these moments where he showed that, despite being a grand tour winner, he’s still an all round tope bloke.
Despite only winning one Grand Tour, Thomas' consistency and personality have made him a household name in British cycling. He finished second in the Giro d’Italia in 2023, and third last year, and has played a key role in the success of Team Sky/Ineos Grenadiers over the years, helping teammates such as Chris Froome to victories before taking his own moment of glory in 2018.
His cruel defeat to Primoz Roglic at the 2023 Giro was a tough as it gets (just ask Roglic) but the way Thomas handled himself in that moment of loss was a victory in itself.
Mark Cavendish
Thomas' announcement comes just months after Mark Cavendish brought the curtain down on his career at the end of 2024. Cavendish, who is widely regarded as the best sprinter we have ever seen, retired after finally achieving his long-standing goal of breaking the record for most Tour de France stage wins, surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx and securing his 35th win last July.
The Manx Missile’s achievements speak for themselves: 35 Tour de France stage victories, the 2011 Road World Championship title, and multiple wins at all three grand tours, as well as a Milano-Sanremo win. In his prime, Cavendish was absurdly quick, and absolutely destroyed his rivals in the sprints. Even in his latter years, when he had lost an edge in speed and explosiveness, his ability to navigate the chaos of a bunch sprint and pick the perfect gap kept him right in the mix at the sharp end.
Cavendish and Thomas have shared a strong bond throughout their careers. Rewind again to 2023, when Thomas played a crucial role in Cavendish’s final Giro d’Italia stage win, helping his old friend secure the victory on the final stage. Their brotherhood symbolised the unity that British cycling has fostered over the years, with many of its top riders working together across different teams and disciplines.
Chris Froome
While Thomas and Cavendish have either confirmed or completed their retirements, Chris Froome’s future remains uncertain. The four-time Tour de France winner has stated that he is “keeping the door open” regarding his retirement, but there is a growing sense that 2025 could be his final season.
Froome, arguably Britain’s greatest Grand Tour rider, boasts an incredible record, with four Tour de France wins, two Vuelta a Espana titles, and a Giro d’Italia victory from 2018. However, his career took a dramatic downturn following a horrific crash in 2019, from which he never fully recovered. Once the dominant force in stage racing, he has struggled to return to his previous level, and his transfer to Israel-Premier Tech has been a match made in hell to say the least.
Despite Froome’s accolades, Thomas has often been the more popular figure among fans. While Froome was admired for his ruthless winning at all costs, Thomas’ humour and humility made him a more relatable figure.
Most would say that Froome was a better rider, but it feels that it will perhaps take a few years after he has retired for people to truly appreciate just how special he was in his Tour winning years.
A difficult 12 months for British cycling
Thomas' retirement is another blow to British cycling, which has endured a challenging 12 months. The once-dominant INEOS Grenadiers have struggled to match the success of previous years, with younger riders failing to step up as expected, often leading an ageing Geraint Thomas in charge.
Tom Pidcock's departure from the team had been a long time coming, while British broadcasting took a hit with ITV losing the rights to the Tour de France and then Eurosport closing down after this year too. That’s not to mention the horrible news that came out last autumn, when Sir Chris Hoy announced his cancer was sadly terminal.
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Furthermore, Team GB faced disappointment at the 2024 Olympics, failing to match the medal hauls of previous Games. Once the dominant force on the track, British riders found themselves overshadowed by their rivals in Paris, yet another sign that Britain’s golden era was over.
Who is the greatest British cyclist of this era?
With the golden era now reaching its conclusion, the debate over who stands as Britain’s greatest cyclist of this generation is one that you get the feeling will be a popular topic over the next few months.
Froome’s Grand Tour victories, Cavendish’s sprinting supremacy, and Thomas’ all-around ability make them all worthy contenders. But who comes out on top?
Froome’s four Tour de France wins, along with his Vuelta and Giro titles, make him the most successful British rider in Grand Tours in terms of overall wins. However, his lack of popularity in recent years, and the manner in which his career declined leaves some question marks, but on GC record alone he is top dog.
Cavendish, on the other hand, is arguably the most successful British cyclist in terms of sheer numbers. His Tour de France stage win record and World Championship title solidify his place among the greats, and unlike Froome he is one whose popularity grew throughout his career as he showed all his vulnerabilities and determination to the public.
Thomas may not have the same number of victories, but his status as a fan favourite and his consistency wins across multiple disciplines certainly throw him in the argument, as does the fact he played a crucial role in Froome’s victories. His impact on British cycling, both on and off the bike, cannot be understated.
It’s only natural to compare them, but that doesn’t mean we should! With Cavendish gone, Thomas on his way out, and Froome likely following soon, let’s enjoy them both whilst we still can.
The next generation of British riders has big shoes to fill, and while there are talented prospects like Pidcock, Josh Tarling, and others coming through, they have yet to match the heights of their predecessors. But give them time, and don’t compare them to the greats of the 2010s, and we’re sure they’ll come good.
The golden era of British cycling may be ending, but its legacy will live on. The achievements of Thomas, Cavendish, and Froome have transformed the sport in the UK, inspiring countless young riders across the country. Now, the baton has been passed to the next generation.
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