"In 2025 I would really like to go back to the classics" - Geraint Thomas

A lot has happened over recent years for Geraint Thomas. He's won the Tour de France, and recently got back to his best form to return to the Tour and Giro d'Italia podium. However before all this, the Welshman was a strong classics rider. Before he ends his career, he wants to return to the cobbles of Flanders and northern France.

“I don't think that will work next year. Maybe if I only ride the Tour, then I can ride some classics. But then you have to ride them all,” Thomas said in words to GCN. “I don't think you can just ride one or two classics. You really have to ride a full spring, maybe that can be done in 2025. I would really like to do that in my last year, because that is where it all started for me.”

Thomas was a track specialist and in his first years as a pro was a rouleur and domestique, first for Barloworld but for several years, for Team Sky. Before he transitioned into a stage-racer, he showed his talent in the cobbled. In 2014 he finished on the Top10 of both Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix whilst in 2015 he won E3 Harelbeke. He now hasn't ridden any of the cobbled monuments since 2018 but wants to do so once again throughout his career.

Ever since 2015 Thomas has not ridden a full cobbled classics campaign. With his recent showings, he will likely devote 2024 into preparing for a Grand Tour, but 10 years after his last time, he will very likely put focus into performing in the spring. “It would be a bit like Brad (Bradley Wiggins, ed.) but I wouldn't finish with Paris-Roubaix. Even though he continued a bit afterwards. But in 2025 I would really like to go back to the classics.”