"The last time I tried to be top twice in a season was at the Vuelta in 2015. That was terrible" - Geraint Thomas plays down Red Jersey chances

Geraint Thomas came agonisingly close to winning the overall classification at the Giro d'Italia earlier this year. For the first time in a long while, the Welshman is now set to double up on his Grand Tour rides for the year at the Vuelta a Espana. The question is, can he repeat his high level?

You have to go all the way back to 2017 for the last time Thomas started two Grand Tours in a calendar year, although he DNF'd both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France on that occasion. Only one time in his career has Thomas finished two Grand Tours in a year, that came in 2015 and the Welshman admits his performance at the Vuelta on that occasion didn't go well.

“Normally I only peak once a year," the INEOS Grenadiers leader tells Wielerflits. "The last time I tried to be top twice in a season was at the Vuelta in 2015. That was terrible." After finishing 15th at the Tour de France, helping Chris Froome to the Maillot Jaune, Thomas was nowhere near the same level in Spain, finishing 69th overall as Froome abandoned.

“I also find it difficult to be away from home for a long time. But now that I'm approaching the end of my career, I just do it. I can also drink cocktails for the rest of my life," he jokes. "I am much better prepared than eight years ago and I am really looking forward to start this Vuelta. In recent weeks I have been on an altitude training and that went as an altitude training always goes: with ups and downs. I'm ready to fire anyway."

A standout stage for Thomas is the opening team time-trial. With the likes of Filippo Ganna and Jonathan Castroviejo alongside him for the INEOS Grenadiers, there is a chance for an early Red Jersey. “We have a few big bikes in our team. Our team is just super good and we really made this a goal. We're going to stand there, I tell you now. Hopefully the rain will hold off.”

In terms of the overall race though, Thomas doesn't consider himself one of the favourites. “Remco and Jumbo-Visma are the top favourites here. I think Evenepoel is more of a one-day rider, but he has so much talent that he can also handle a grand tour. I know he's going to be great here."