What next for British cycling?
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.
Geraint Thomas will end his illustrious career in 2025
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.
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.
Mark Cavendish secured his all time great status long before his record breaking Tour de France in 2024
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.