INEOS Grenadiers have confirmed that
Geraint Thomas will not take the start on stage four of the
Tour de Suisse following a crash during Tuesday’s stage three. It is a big hit going into the
Tour de France.
The team announced on social media that the decision was made purely as a precaution, with Thomas prioritising recovery ahead of next month’s Tour de France, which is expected to be his final appearance in the race.
“Following a crash during stage three of the #TourdeSuisse, @GeraintThomas86 will not take the start today as a precautionary measure,” read the post from INEOS on X.
Speaking to the media at the finish line on Tuesday, before his withdrawal had been confirmed, the Welshman gave an initial update on his condition:
“For the first minute or so I could barely bend my knee. But once I got back on the bike and started pedalling, it loosened up a bit. It’s still sore though — the muscles are a bit tight. But overall, it’s okay.”
With his GC hopes in Switzerland already out of reach and the Tour de France looming, Thomas admitted there was little point in continuing:
“The aim is clearly to be in good shape for the Tour, so there’s not much sense in pushing on here, especially when I’m nowhere in the general classification.”
Thomas is targeting one last big ride at the Tour, in what will be his final season as a professional.
What an odd odd crash that was, and I hope he recovers. The man raced with a broken pelvis, he knows pain, so let's hope this precautionary move serves its purpose.