Geraint Thomas: "It's always nice to prove people wrong"

The INEOS Grenadiers veteran is embarking on his sixteenth season as a professional rider after having signed a fresh two-year contract with the British team. Geraint Thomas has had big wins in past, last year he's won the Tour de Romandie, alongside podiums at the Volta a Catalunya and Critérium du Dauphiné, and is motivated to start a new season with strong goals.

"In cycling now everyone talks about young guys. And if you're in your 30s, let alone your mid-30s, you're past it. So it's always nice to prove people wrong," Thomas said in a recent interview with BBC, admitting he's ambitious for the season ahead.

He added: "There's definitely less expectation [for me to perform] within the team - when it comes to the Grand Tours anyway. But I'm still hoping to get to the Tour in the best shape possible. If I am in that shape, I don't see why I can't be competitive over the three weeks. But this year isn't just all about one race. It's about just enjoying racing my bike and going for the win in everything."

Regarding his disappointment at last year's Tour de France where he crashed on the opening week causing a dislocated shoulder, he admitted that it is complicated but has shared his approach to it: "After a couple of weeks, you refocus, you find other goals and just try to be positive about it, otherwise you're just going to be a grumpy old man. Last year I still felt like I had a really good season up until the Tour - it was one of my best. Then what happened in the Tour was disappointing and the Olympics was the icing on a really terribly-made cake. You've just got to move on and keep striding forward - otherwise you won't be in a good place."

At the age of 35 it is possible that the Welshman has gone past the peak of his career, despite the strong showing he's had last year. BBC asked him about what's to come in the future, to which he replied, "I'm realistic. You can't keep racing forever. I want to make the most of the next two, three, whatever it's going to be years, and commit to it properly."

"Even if I don't win anything, as long as I enjoy it and have a good time, that's the main thing - and be happy and thankful for what I've done so far as well. I'm not sort of going into these last couple of years and just thinking I need to do X, Y and Z. It's more get out there, train hard, race hard and then see what happens - and have fun doing it," he completed.

Thomas is currently racing at the Volta ao Algarve where he's survived a chaotic opening stage. He's won the race in 2015 and 2016 and is a contender to do so again this year, despite some tough competition.