Thomas: ‘We'll have all guns blazing at the Tour'

A hugely impressive Dauphiné performance gives the Ineos Grenadiers a significant pre-Tour boost

- Peter Cossins

Ten months on from their infamous 2020 Critérium du Dauphiné capitulation, Ineos Grenadiers proved over eight days of racing in the French Alps that they will once again be the team to beat at the Tour de France.

While Tadej Pogačar (UAE) and Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) may start as the favourites for the yellow jersey, Ineos are set to line up in Brittany on 26 June with the strongest team, with 2018 winner Geraint Thomas as their sole leader.

The Welshman backed up last month’s overall win in Romandie with third place in the Dauphiné, won by his team-mate – and soon-to-be Tour super domestique – Richie Porte. Thomas snatched a stage victory along the way with a cheeky and cleverly created last-kilometre move.

The 35-year-old looked almost as serene as he did in winning the 2018 Dauphiné title, which was his final stepping stone to Tour success a month later.

“We’re very happy with Geraint’s performance this week,” Ineos directeur sportif Gabriel Rasch told Cycling Weekly after the Dauphiné’s final stage. “I think he’s exactly where he needs to be. He showed real class working for Richie this week, he showed what he’s made of.”