"It was like 'Old School G' again” - Adam Blythe optimistic for Geraint Thomas' Giro prospects after thrilling late attack on stage 3

Will anyone be able to mount a serious challenge to Tadej Pogacar at the 2024 Giro d'Italia? After the first three stages, the rider who seems most likely is INEOS Grenadiers leader, Geraint Thomas.

After limiting his losses to Pogacar on the opening two stages, the Welshman joined the UAE Team Emirates leader in a thrilling late attack on stage 3, very nearly upsetting the sprinters and claiming an incredible stage win. Despite the face the superstar duo were eventually caught however, Eurosport's Adam Blythe was incredibly impressed by what he saw from Thomas.

“I don’t think any of us really expected for Pogacar to be like ‘I’ll chase that down!’ and then first and second on GC to be off the front with 800 metres to go still,” reflected Blythe post-stage on Eurosport's 'The Breakaway'. “G to be there like he is, I was loving life watching him. It was great to see G fighting. He only had one team-mate coming into the finish there and he just took it upon himself, it was like 'Old School G' again.”

Seeing the Maglia Rosa and his nearest rival on the attack in the finale of a traditional sprinters stage was a shocking sight and according to Blythe's colleague, Daniel Lloyd, Pogacar is one of the few riders in the world who would even try such a move on stage 3 of a Grand Tour. “I genuinely think he just can't help himself,” says Lloyd. “I think if he was watching himself with 1200 metres to go, he would say, ‘Don't attack. And if you do, just sit up, save your energy for the last week.’ But when he's in that moment. He's like ‘there's a bike race to win. I could probably win this, you know?"

“He just can't help himself, which is why so many people love watching him, because he's not that person that literally just follows the process. There probably was a process in place state that wasn't it I would imagine. I don't suppose it was part of the plan that he'd go for it on the last climb," Lloyd concludes, and the ex-pro is unsure UAE Team Emirates even really want him to stop. “He was such a huge star at such a young age when UAE weren't really a huge team. I think he's been such a huge part of them becoming this team that they are now that they just allow him to do what he wants to do.”