For Thomas, at the complete opposite end of his career, a 10th placed finish on the day was a respectable one. Having been caught and passed by the eventual winner and new world champion
Remco Evenepoel however, Thomas admits the impetus somewhat left his legs.
"When Remco came past I thought, 'This is not the best," he said. "It kind of cracked me. I thought 'I'm not in the running here' which is hard. I kind of kept going, it is what it is. It's a shame, I would have liked to have gone well in a home worlds but that's bike racing."