Big changes to Geraint Thomas' schedule as he prepares for final Giro d'Italia

Geraint Thomas had been scheduled to participate in the Volta ao Algarve this week but was not present at the starting line. The main reason for his absence was an illness, as he had contracted a minor infection before the Tour Down Under last month and experienced a relapse of the same problem recently.

His first appearance of the European season will now be at Tirreno-Adriatico in the beginning of March. "Geraint's all right. He's in a good rhythm and routine so we just decided we'd keep him doing what he's doing for now," Ineos Grenadiers' deputy team principal, Rod Ellingworth, told Cyclingnews.

Ellingworth further added, "He's all right. He just had a bit of illness before TDU, rode TDU and was fine, but afterwards had another little repeat of the same thing. He never felt really ill with it but something wasn't quite right. Now he's absolutely fine. He's been doing some great work in LA with Cam, who's sort of his sparring partner out there, so since he was in a good routine we thought 'ok let's keep him there’."

With his sights firmly set on the Giro d'Italia, Thomas is considering making changes to his training regimen to optimise his performance. He may even choose to participate in either the Volta a Catalunya or Coppi e Bartali as part of his preparations. "Tirreno will be his first race, and now there's a discussion about whether he does Catalunya. That or Coppi Bartali were always part of the plan, but he may go to Catalunya now to make up for what he's missed. We're not looking past the Giro at the moment. He's in good spirits, he's up for it,” " Ellingworth concluded.