EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | Geraint Thomas at the start of the Figueira Classic: "It's just a tough race, let's see what happens"

The Figueira Champions Classic is about to begin and we're expecting a peloton full of the biggest stars in Portuguese cycling, and also some of the best riders from around the globe.

One of those cyclists is former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas of INEOS Grenadiers, who will be making his European debut in 2025 after having already taken part in several races in Australia during January, including the Tour Down Under.

Speaking briefly to CyclingUpToDate and Ciclismo Atual, the Brit told us about what he thinks of the race: "It's just a tough race, let's see what happens," Thomas told us, who was clearly in a good mood, as is typical of him. We also told him that a lot of people like racing with him and he jokingly replied, "I don't know who could have said that!"

But the Figueira Champions Classic won't be the only race Thomas will ride in Portugal, in a few days he'll also return to the Volta ao Algarve, a race he won in 2015 and 2016. However, Thomas, who is retiring from cycling at the end of 2025, doesn't expect to win the race for a third time this year: "I'm going to do my race and do my best for the team."