Geraint Thomas eager to battle Evenepoel, Roglic and Vingegaard: "That’s what motivates you as well"

Geraint Thomas is ready for the Vuelta a Espana. He had modest form ahead of the Giro d'Italia but had terrific form throughout the three weeks, with that in mind he is a big contender for the podium in Spain this summer.

“I’m really looking forward to going back to La Vuelta. Hopefully it’ll be better than 2015 - which was horrific - it wasn’t the most enjoyable Grand Tour that I’ve ever done," Thomas said in a press release. “I’m going there to try and get the best result possible for the team. It will be nice to go for some stages and the GC as well, and just see how I’m doing after the first half of the race."

Now heading into the Vuelta he's done some racing. Thomas rode the Tour de Pologne in support of his INEOS Grenadiers teammates, however he finished third in the final time-trial revealing form. He rode the World Championships, and was 10th in the time-trial. It wasn't a heavy schedule however, and should see him reach similar form after altitude training in Andorra. INEOS' lineup includes Egan Bernal, Thymen Arensman, Laurens de Plus and Filippo Ganna who could form an incredibly strong support crew if he has his best legs.

“It’s going to be a cracking field: Ayuso’s one of the leading young riders around at the moment; Remco as well, Roglic too and possibly Almeida, so that’s the whole podium of the Giro. Jonas [Vingegaard] is also apparently going so it’s going to be a star-studded line-up," he continues, perhaps facing tougher competition than what he had in the Alps at the Giro, where he took the pink jersey into the final time-trial. "That’s what motivates you as well, knowing that all the best guys are going to be there, so the goal is to go and do your best and hopefully come out on top; but it’s certainly going to be tough."

Hence, the 37-year old is very motivated to show his best level now in August and September. With almost all the main climbers present, except for Tadej Pogacar, Thomas will be tasked with leading INEOS, although other riders may get the freedom to chase their own results.

“The bigger the challenge the more excited you get and the more you want to put into it and try to do well. Having everyone there is going to make it a great race and the whole team we’ve got preparing for the Vuelta will get everyone up and motivated; we’re all looking forward to getting started," he concludes.