“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.”