The 2025 edition of Lloyd's Bank Tour of Britain will be easily distinguished among other years as it coincides with being the final professional race in the rich career of Geraint Thomas. But it wouldn't be G if even his participation alone didn't go without a story. In fact, the 39-year-old Welshman almost missed his farewell race completely.
"It could be worse, it’s not so bad," Thomas told reporters before the first stage. "I wasn’t sure I was going to get here yesterday with the flights and stuff, but I’m happy to be here now, and I’m buzzing, looking forward to it."
"There was a fault with the plane, and then a storm came in, so the other plane to take us couldn’t get in. There were flights being cancelled all over the place, and I thought it could be tight here, but luckily the flight finally went at around midnight, I think. I got to bed about two o’clock."
In front of the home crowds, Ineos Grenadiers will sport a special jersey that reminiscens Geraint's 16 seasons with the British formations as well as his greatest successes.
"It’s pretty mad, the effort the team’s gone to with the bikes and the jersey, and obviously the organiser as well, having the finish in Cardiff. It’s going to be a special week, that’s for sure," said Thomas.
For his final race, it will be mostly about savoring the moment and atmosphere, rather than competing for top results. The parcours in any case miss some of what Thomas would need - long climbs and a ideally a lengthy time trial.
Geraint Thomas on a time trial bike
"The main thing is enjoying it, making the most of it and making it something to remember. Obviously, we’ve got a strong team here and I’ll do my bit for the boys. I’m not really in the shape to win myself, but we’ve got some good guys here to perform."
Ineos Grenadiers brought an ambitious team for this year's Tour of Britain with Thymen Arensman to target the general classification that is likely to be decided on the penultimate day with finish on The Tumble - a 5.5 km climb with average gradient of 7.3%. Meanwhile Sam Watson should put his name out there in bunch arrivals.
Year of lasts
"It’s certainly been a year of lasts, really, not now the lasts are getting a bit more significant – last training day, last pre-race ride and this and that," said Thomas, who is set to join the Ineos management team from 2026.
"It’s like when you’re a kid and Christmas seems so far away. This last race seemed far away, but suddenly it’s here. But it’s the last week of racing, so I’m going to try and enjoy it. It feels like the right time anyway, so I’m happy it’s finishing – but it’s also going to be a strange feeling."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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