Team Sky 2018 vs Visma 2025 - Geraint Thomas & Luke Rowe debate Tour de France teams including Chris Froome or Jonas Vingegaard

In 2025, Geraint Thomas will be embarking on the very last Tour de France of his career. The highlight of the Welshman's time in the peloton undoubtedly came back at the 2018 edition of the French Grand Tour, when he won the Maillot Jaune. How does the Team Sky of that era compare with the strongest team's of the modern peloton however?

This was a question posed on the latest episode of Thomas' Watts Occurring podcast as he and former teammate Luke Rowe debated the strengths and weaknesses of the 2018 Team Sky and the 2025 Team Visma | Lease a Bike. "Let's be brutally honest here," begins Rowe, now a sports director at the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team. "That person in their prime vs that person in their prime."

First up, it's a battle of the two team's leaders, Chris Froome of Team Sky and Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. Both Rowe and Thomas are in full agreement on this one. "I'd go Froome," says Thomas firmly, loyal to his former team leader. "I'd go Froome too," Rowe adds. "Sky 1-0 Jumbo."

Next, it's a battle of two Grand Tour winning Brits. Simon Yates vs Geraint Thomas himself. "I'd go with myself mate," Thomas smiles. "Well you've won the Tour. Lets f*cking move on," Rowe adds.

Sepp Kuss vs Egan Bernal is next. "Bernal," says Thomas instantly. "Mate, he's won the Tour, he's won the Giro."

With Sky leading 3-0, Thomas and Rowe are staying loyal to their teammates. Next up though, Wout van Aert vs Michal Kwiatkowski. "It is hard, but it's also easy isn't it," says Thomas, giving the Visma team their first point. "Look at the way Van Aert has ridden. It's just insane."

Matteo Jorgenson vs Wout Poels is the next battle decided. "Ooh, I've got to go with Matteo, just because I feel like he's a bit more versatile," Thomas answers thoughtfully. "Jorgenson is really a complete package isn't he," Rowe adds.

Victor Campenaerts vs Jonathan Castroviejo follows. In unison, both Rowe and Thomas answer: "Castro." - "He climbs a bit better doesn't he," adds Thomas to clarify.

Then it's time for Rowe to judge himself against Visma's European time trial champion Edoardo Affini. "He's stronger. If you just like, ride in the wind and off you go. But in the Tour? I think you've got to be quite smart to get through the race itself so f*ck him, I'm backing myself!" Rowe answers resoundingly. "Yeah, I'd have to agree to be honest. Engine wise he's probably stronger, but when it comes to crosswinds and positioning, which is just as or more important sometimes, I'd go with you," adds Thomas.

Finally, Tiesj Benoot vs Gianni Moscon closes the debate. "I'd go Tiesj," answers Rowe, with Thomas in agreement again. "Yeah me too, but when you think of Moscon in that period, he was going! But, Tiesj is just always there. So consistent."

So, with the final scored tallied up, Sky beats Visma5-3. Now the question is posed to you. Do you agree with Thomas and Rowe, or are the 2025 Team Visma | Lease a Bike actually stronger than the 2018 Team Sky? Let us know your thoughts!