"The most meaningful jersey I've ever had" - Ineos reveal a special kit for Geraint Thomas' final race

Geraint Thomas' long professional career will come to an end next week. In front of home crowds, the 39-year-old Welshman will pin on the race numbers for the last time on Sunday, September 7, for the final stage of Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain - a stage with finish in Wales' capital Cardiff. For this special opportunity, his employer of 16 seasons INEOS Grenadiers have a prepared an original kit to commemorate the successful career of 'G'.

On the front side, we see the traditional dark red Welsh dragon on regular red background with TotalEnergies logo playing a more toned down part of the design, compared to the team's "regular" season outfit. On the back, all the successful years of professional Geraint's career are remembered, with 2008 and 2012 years in gold (Olympic medals), or 2010 Union Jack reminding us of Geraint's only National road title.

Completely unique aspect is brought with what looks like a child's doodle - and it is in fact one. The author none other than Geraint's 5-year-old son.

"It’s pretty cool, apparently that’s me, that’s him, and that’s Lucas actually. Lucas Hamilton, that’s a bit random," Thomas explained in a video launching the jersey. "Lucas was obviously new to the team, and we were down in Oz (Australia, ed.), and this is where Macs drew the picture just after that."

The Welshman already looks forward to taking the new jersey for a fresh breath of air. Over those years, he wore many jerseys. Is this one the best yet?

"Certainly the most meaningful jersey [I've ever had], that’s for sure," he added. "I think it definitely will be emotional come the final stage, you know, finishing in Cardiff, wearing this. I even got the dates here in the collar. My very first race, 17 January 2007 at the Tour Down Under, last race 7 September 2025, the Tour of Britain. Well hopefully it’s my last race, hopefully I make it there."

And so, the 2025 Tour of Britain will be the end of the story of Geraint Thomas, a professional cyclist. "I’m looking forward to it, it’s definitely something I’m going to soak up and enjoy. It is kind of strange to think come, well just over a sort of week and a half's time, I will not be a professional athlete anymore," Thomas told the BBC this week.

But the 2018 Tour de France champion should not withdraw from cycling entirely after this season as a move to Ineos' management ranks has already been more or less confirmed.