"He's going to stop at some point" - INEOS strategy revolves around Pogacar as Geraint Thomas demands riders believe they can reach top level
Cycling
Geraint Thomas believes that although Tadej Pogacar will stop cycling at point or another, his Netcompany INEOS team should believe that, while the Slovenian continues to improve, they can continue to push the envelope in pursuit of success.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider's stratospheric performances have left the majority of cycling teams and riders behind as he shatters records and sweeps up major honours. The Welshman knows all too well what it's like to follow his wheel.
And while his days of chasing Pogacar on two wheels are over, the game has moved to four wheels for Thomas as he completed his first full season as the team's Director of Racing - tasked with helping the team close the gap and someday best him at Grand Tours.
In a year of learnings for the 2018 yellow jersey, Thomas quickly adjusted to life in retirement as he builds his support network around managing the British team on a daily basis.
"It's still the principles of just running a team and how you go about making decisions," he told Velora Cycling.
Geraint Thomas at the 2026 Tour de France
"Not shooting from the hip all the time. Making sure you think things through and you speak to the right people and you've got to trust the right people."
Thomas reflects on moving to management
That doesn't mean retirement and a transition to a small leadership team has been easy. There's been occasions where 'G' finds himself unable to have the same relationship with riders and staff he was once peers with.
"Hardest thing for me is, I'm mates with a lot of the riders still, or some guys, or DS'. If there's something happening but I can't speak to them, where before you could, it was just a bit like, shit, I can't open up to this guy.
"If there's something on my mind, it's been like, who'd you go to now, you know? The people you can speak to gets smaller and smaller the further up you go almost."
Pushing boundaries has been the theme of cycling over the past decade as the sport's evolution has seen a host of massive gains in nutrition, technology and preparation. He thinks that his INEOS team riders need to be intent on improving with every year.
INEOS aim to improve with Pogacar's level as the goal
"I say this to the team all the time, doesn't matter if it's, oh, you're close to your best, or I'm matching what I did last year. You got to be better. You got to be striving to do more and more. And that's what I was always like.
"I think we've got to always believe and always keep trying to be the best. I think Pog can continue to get better. But why can't everybody else? And then who knows how much better they can get?"
His attention then turned to Pogacar, who he believes is still improving as the years go on. In the face of his domination already, he wants to guide INEOS up the steps towards challenging him while he's still competitive, or at least being the next best in line should the Slovenian retire or see his form diminish.
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He added: "Certainly next year you're looking at it thinking it's tough, but otherwise we'd all just stop. You need to believe that you can build up to something, and there's always going to be someone out there.
"He's going to stop at some point, and we want to be in the position to be there or be competitive when he's still competitive,” he said. “But certainly once he stops, be there ready to take it."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- When Thomas gets the bullet from INEOS he can get a job as a comedian.
Senna196013-11-2026 - Right on. The more the merrier.Occam13-11-2026
- Remember, Del Toro struggled in this Tour. He is great, no doubt about that, but comparing him to a four time gt winner is absurd at this point. He has the potential. We'll have to see how he develops.awp13-11-2026
- what did Jonas gift and to whom? just curious, haven’t heard about this.mij13-11-2026
- You don't gift grand tours as it has come to light that Jonas has come to regret doing such.
Front24213-11-2026 - Exactly you said it urslf - he outclimbed del toro by 19 sec. 19SEC and you say hes alot better than del toro still lol? And can also do the same where del toro did that to jonas even and del toro dauphine numbers better than jonas all year so why this hard whats the issue its super easy stuff - del toro wasnt that before. Then factor in both their trajectory the last years and the answer is self explonatory like i said. Nothing against jonas like many do but the typing is no the wall and so stupidly easy as its so self explanatory now. Have a good daymiguel13-11-2026
- Dirty ex doperFront24213-11-2026
- As far as points go they need to take a page or ten out of the Astana playbook!Lozza13-11-2026
- Ah, seems he’s been busy elsewhere! 😆Lozza13-11-2026
- Where is he when you need him!? Wake up man! You’re missing an opportunity!Lozza13-11-2026
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