Geraint Thomas lines up at Milano-Sanremo for the last time and talks Tour de France 2027 in Britain: “I’ll be there, just maybe with a beer!”

For the first time since 2016, Geraint Thomas is back at Milano-Sanremo, and this time, it’s with a sense of finality. The British veteran, now in the final year of his professional career, is lining up for one last tilt at the first monument of the season. It wasn’t even part of the original plan.

Speaking before the start, Thomas admitted that his appearance at Sanremo in 2025 was something of a late decision.

“Yeah, I think someone told me 2016, so a few years now. But yeah, looking forward to it. Hopefully the weather continues to improve and it'll be a nice day.”

Asked by Cycling Pro Net whether returning to Sanremo was something he’d always wanted in his final season, Thomas explained the change of plans.

“It wasn’t part of the program, to be honest. It was only a couple weeks ago after someone was like, ‘Ah, we need to come to Sanremo,’ and yeah, I just [thought], yeah, why not? Obviously it’s a massive race and a race I’ve always loved doing.”

Now, his role is clear, support the team, and in particular, help one of the day’s favourites stay fresh for the finale.

“To help people now today is... yeah, those things don’t come around too often, you know? Having a real favourite to win such a big race. So yeah, we’ll do what we can and what will be, will be.”

So what’s the strategy for Thomas in his final Sanremo? Provide Filippo Ganna with as much support as possible, as he bids to become the first Italian winner since Nibali in 2018.

“I’ll try and get people to the Poggio as easy for him as possible and then it’s just the legs. It’s just... yeah, hopefully he can follow the attacks, be there in the finish and who knows then? I think, you know, he’s quick and he can... at the end of 300K I think he can beat anyone. So yeah, it’s all to race for.”

This week’s announcement that the Tour de France will start in the UK in 2027 was met with excitement, but it won’t be enough to tempt Thomas into reconsidering retirement.

“Obviously I’d heard that it was likely to come,” Thomas said. “But yeah, two more years is a bit long, so no... hopefully I’ll be there, just be maybe with a beer and just watching on the side of the road.”