"We've just got to keep trying you know. That's all we can do" - Geraint Thomas back to 2nd and refusing to give up on Giro d'Italia dream

In a much improved time-trial performance than his admittedly disappointing effort earlier in the race, Geraint Thomas finished 4th on the stage 14 ITT at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, moving back up to 2nd overall in the process.

"I haven't seen the results but just off how I felt, it was pretty good. I just lacked a bit coming into 10km to go and that was the fastest part," the Welshman, who is one week short of his 38th birthday, reflected in his post-stage interview with Eurosport. "I felt like I kind of lost it a little there and just tried to bring it home but it was hard, had to attack it and try to hold on. I don't feel I quite held on but it was certainly a lot better than the last one."

Read also

Filippo Ganna denies Tadej Pogacar another Giro d'Italia stage win with phenomenal time-trial performance

Finishing 1:14 down on his stage-winning teammate, Filippo Ganna, Thomas lost a further 45 seconds to Tadej Pogacar, meaning the gap at the top of the Giro d'Italia GC is now a massive 3:41. Putting time into all his other podium rivals though, including most notably Daniel Martinez, Thomas can look back with pride on a solid day's work.

"I had info on Ganna to the first time check but then they stopped so I assumed I was quite far down," Thomas laughs. "They said I was up on Dani and the other GC guys on the first and second check but to be honest I was more just trying to keep fighting and ride it well."

"We've just got to keep trying you know. That's all we can do and we'll see how the next week goes," Thomas continues, still not ready to fully give up on his Maglia Rosa dream despite the seemingly insurmountable lead Pogacar now holds. "It's decent so far so just a big week to come now," he concludes.

Read also

"I'm a little bit overcome with emotion" - Glory at last for Filippo Ganna after nervy wait for Tadej Pogacar to finish