THE LAST DANCE

Geraint Thomas on being an elder statesman, his new book and a hankering for Strictly training

- James Shrubsall

As the bright lights of the spotlight fade, many a sportsperson has glimpsed another limelight coming into view. Paralympic champion Jody Cundy has seen it bouncing off a glittery ball; boxer Nicola Adams has witnessed its refraction off sequins; and rowing legend James Cracknell has spied it bouncing off the polished wood floor. “Sashay this way,” call the bright lights of Strictly Come Dancing.

Geraint Thomas can see them coming into view. “My parents-in-law are like ‘Please don’t go on that, you’ll be terrible,’ so that makes me want to do it,” he says when we ask if he’s had the call. He adds: “That SAS one, Who Dares Wins is it? I’d love to do something like that. Though I think the physical side I’d still struggle with, even though I’m an endurance athlete. Like, I went for a run the other day and I still can’t walk properly.”

The Welshman has had his post-riding career on his mind lately (see box), having signed a two-year contract that he tells Cycling Weekly is almost certainly his last as a pro rider. But before he gets to that he’s got unfinished business at the Giro d’Italia, in particular his performance at this year’s race, where he finished second behind Primož Roglič after losing out on the final time trial.

One more Giro? 

“The [2024] Giro looks quite good actually, for me,” Thomas tells CW, “and that is something that would motivate me, especially after this year, just to go back maybe one more time.”

Whether he personally can take a shot at victory, whether at the Giro or the Tour de France, he says cautiously: “I feel like I’ve still got a good race in me.”