"I'm looking forward to that too. It's a nice distraction" - Geraint Thomas hoping Wales fare better in the Rugby World Cup than he has at La Vuelta

For Geraint Thomas, the 2023 Vuelta a Espana hasn't gone to plan so far. Multiple crashes have seen the Welshman fall far from Red Jersey contention, much to his disappointment.

“It is a Vuelta of ups and downs, but mostly downs," Thomas laments on a special rest day episode of his Watts Occurring podcast. The former Tour de France winner hasn't been the only INEOS Grenadiers rider in difficulty either with both Laurens De Plus and Thymen Arensman crashing out of the race. "We must now try to put that behind us. We have to stay positive and keep our eyes open for the opportunities that we may get. We still have a good team, it's mainly a matter of keeping morale high."

12:34 down in the general classification, Thomas is realistic that his general classification challenge is over. Stage wins are now the goal for the team. "I don't go for the podium anymore. After a breakaway you can be back in the GC, but that's not what I'm aiming for," he explains. "We also have Filippo Ganna for the sprints, he is someone with a gigantic engine. On the other days, we have to race aggressively and try to take our chances that way."

Being a proud Welshman, Thomas will also have more than half an eye on the upcoming Rugby World Cup, starting on Friday the 8th of September. The national sport of Wales, Thomas is hoping his compatriots have better luck than he himself has had. "I'm looking forward to that too. It's a nice distraction," he concludes.