“We’ve had a rough couple of years, but we’re on the way back” - Geraint Thomas celebrates INEOS Grenadiers resurgence after Paris-Nice TTT win

The victory of INEOS Grenadiers in the Stage 3 team time trial at Paris-Nice represented more than just a stage success. For Director of Racing Geraint Thomas, it also served as another sign that the British squad is beginning to rediscover the collective strength that once defined the team.

INEOS edged out Lidl-Trek by just 2.47 seconds on the 23.5-kilometre test between Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire and Pouilly-sur-Loire, delivering a performance that reshaped the general classification and highlighted the squad’s depth in the discipline.

Speaking after the stage, Thomas acknowledged that the result carries added meaning for a team that has endured a challenging period in recent seasons.

“We’ve had a rough couple of years, but we’re on the way back," he told Cycling Pro Net. "This is definitely not the end; there’s still a long way to go. But we’ve got a great group of riders and staff, and everyone is motivated and pushing forward.”

For Thomas, who is stepping into a new role with the team this season, watching the effort unfold from the team car proved far more intense than expected. “I was more nervous than I thought I’d be, to be honest. I knew I’d care about the guys stepping into this new role, but that was insane.”

The Welshman emphasised that the result was the product of a coordinated effort across the organisation, from riders to staff. “The whole team has been incredible. Obviously, the boys doing their thing, but also the DSs behind you and everyone involved. It’s been a massive team effort.”

The victory also reflected INEOS’s longstanding emphasis on collective performance in the discipline. The team blasted through the intermediate checkpoint with the fastest split of the afternoon before holding on in the final kilometres to secure the stage win.

Thomas admitted the result had not necessarily been expected at Paris-Nice, even if the team had identified the discipline as an important objective earlier in the season. “We set out at the start of the year with this as a big goal, but to be honest, we didn’t necessarily expect it here at Paris-Nice.”

He added that while the squad had prepared carefully, the way the riders adapted once the stage began proved decisive. “We had a plan, but the plan always goes out the window once you start. The way they adapted and rode on feel and adjusted during the effort was great to see.”

The stage also highlighted the range of general classification options within the INEOS squad. Riders such as Oscar Onley and Kevin Vauquelin were part of the powerful unit that secured the victory, while Carlos Rodriguez continued despite the after-effects of an earlier crash.

Thomas dismissed the idea of internal rivalry between the team’s GC riders. “There’s no battle between them. You saw the way they rode today, they were willing to put it all on the line for each other.”

He also praised Rodriguez for completing the demanding stage despite difficult circumstances. “Fair play to him. He was in a tough place today after crashing. The corners aren’t necessarily his strength, and with the injuries, it was tough, but he gave everything he had.”

For Thomas, the performance illustrated the strength of the squad as a whole rather than any single rider. “It’s amazing to have so many strong GC riders in the team… as a team it’s amazing.”

After several seasons searching for consistency, the Paris-Nice victory therefore represents another step in what Thomas hopes will be a broader resurgence for INEOS Grenadiers.