Thomas bullish on Giro d'Italia chances despite infection

Welshman endures tough race at Volta a Catalunya, reports Chris Marshall-Bell

- Chris Marshall-Bell

Geraint Thomas is insistent that his form will come good in time for the Giro d'Italia, despite continuing an underwhelming start to the season at the Volta a Catalunya.

The Ineos Grenadier finished 45th overall in northern Spain, just his second race of the season after also competing at the Tour Down Under in January.

Thomas admitted to struggling through the mountainous parcours last week, but he was in a bullish mood when speaking with Cycling Weekly at the race. "I am trying to stay positive and just focus on going through the process. The plan is to peak perfectly for the Giro," the Welshman, who finished third at last year's Tour de France, said.

"Being on antibiotics since December is not ideal, and I am still on them now, but there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel. That's been the biggest thing holding me back and why I haven't had the ideal preparation going into this race and the next few. But I am still confident I will be in good shape come the Giro." Thomas didn't offer further details on why he was taking the medication.

He added: "I came here knowing that I was just going to suffer, but also to get a big workload in, soak that up, go to altitude and have faith in the process that I have become accustomed to over many years."

Watching and waiting