After months of speculation, it has now been confirmed that
2025 will be Geraint Thomas’ final season as a professional cyclist.
The 2018 Tour de France champion shared the news on Twitter,
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.”
Over the course of his career, Thomas has secured three Tour
de France stage victories, two Olympic gold medals on the track, and a
runner-up finish behind Primoz Roglic at the 2023 Giro d'Italia.
“Since I was a kid I dreamt of riding the Tour and being
part of the Olympics and winning was obviously a dream as well, but to achieve
that was just nuts," the INEOS Grenadiers rider told BBC Breakfast.
"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."
This summer, the 38-year-old will focus on the Tour de
France, where he is expected to take on a supporting role while also aiming for
a stage win and making the most of the experience in the race he triumphed in
back in 2018.
"Beijing was massive, my first Olympics and winning
gold there," Thomas said. "But the Tour's what changed my life, being
recognised all over the place.
"I was in Alcatraz and some dude recognised me. I think
that's when you know it went up a level.
"The yellow jersey is iconic. You go anywhere in the
world and people will know the yellow jersey, how it signifies cycling and its
history. So to be a part of that history and to win it, I just pinch
myself."
Reflecting on his decision to retire, he explained,
"This is my 19th year as a professional and I didn't want to do one year
too many and be the grumpy guy in the team.
"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.
"There's stuff I think I'll miss, the racing, being
here in Monaco, but it will be nice just to be around more and to take on a new
challenge."
As he looks ahead to life beyond professional cycling,
Thomas is keen to stay motivated. "Having options is always good," he
said. "I need a purpose. Since I was about 17 or 18, I've always been
working towards a goal.
"To not be working towards anything would be nice for
maybe a month, then I'll just go crazy, so I'll definitely have to have some
goals.
"I want to do an Ironman. I only run two or three times
a year, so that's something that needs a bit of work! It's about challenging
myself in different ways."
Beyond sporting challenges, he is also looking forward to
spending more time with loved ones. "That's the main thing, just being
around more and not missing events - birthdays, weddings, parties or
whatever," he added. "I'm looking forward to that side of
things."
Following his final Tour de France and a summer of racing,
Thomas plans to conclude his career at the Tour of Britain in September.
"It would be epic if that happens. I haven't really
thought about it much, but when I do start thinking about it, it's going to be
emotional. Maybe I'll shed a tear or two," he admitted.
"It would be some way to finish, whether it's Cardiff
or wherever, the Tour of Britain as the final race. It's full circle, isn't it?
Finishing my career back home."
Before then, his 2025 season begins on Wednesday at the Tour
of the Algarve, followed by an appearance at Tirreno-Adriatico.
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 👀 pic.twitter.com/7HTOBuEnXx
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) February 17, 2025
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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