Geraint Thomas finds himself in 5 Giro d'Italia lead
Cycling Weekly|May 18, 2023
Ineos Grenadiers contender plots racing peak for Grand Tour's final week
Tom Davidson
Geraint Thomas finds himself in 5 Giro d'Italia lead

It might not have come under the circumstances he would have liked, but Geraint Thomas began this week in the pink leader's jersey at the Giro d'Italia.

The Welshman, having finished runner-up in Sunday's individual time trial, ended the stage second in the general classification. Come dinnertime, however, and after news of Remco Evenepoel's untimely Covid positive, Thomas found himself bumped up into the race lead.

"It's strange," he told the press on Monday's rest day. "I kind of thought I'd be going into the final week - well, I still could do with minutes to make up.

"I guess I've done plenty of years' racing and I tend to normally be pretty consistent. In the third week, I tend to be strong as well. With the slow buildup, that was the thinking that I could hopefully be at my best for that last week, and we're still hoping that's the case."

Just shy of his 37th birthday, Thomas is showing no let-up in his ability to challenge. He gained valuable seconds on stage eight then in the following day's time trial was just nine-hundredths of a second off the stage winner, Evenepoel.

No doubting Thomas

This story is from the May 18, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 18, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CYCLING WEEKLYView All
UK SCENE WILSON WINS AT CLAYTON SPRING CLASSIC HANDICAP
Cycling Weekly

UK SCENE WILSON WINS AT CLAYTON SPRING CLASSIC HANDICAP

Junior rider Atkins wins North Road CC 25

time-read
1 min  |
February 27, 2025
"I'm Geraint Thomas," he said politely."And I'm a bike rider"
Cycling Weekly

"I'm Geraint Thomas," he said politely."And I'm a bike rider"

The Doc salutes the Welshman's staying power and charm

time-read
3 mins  |
February 27, 2025
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON...STRENGTH TRAINING
Cycling Weekly

AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON...STRENGTH TRAINING

The need-to-know essentials for cyclists lifting weights - Rob Kemp asks an expert

time-read
2 mins  |
February 27, 2025
NOURISH TO FLOURISH
Cycling Weekly

NOURISH TO FLOURISH

The nutrition you need to age-proof your performance

time-read
8 mins  |
February 27, 2025
THE WORLD'S FASTEST DESCENDER
Cycling Weekly

THE WORLD'S FASTEST DESCENDER

DOWNHILL MAESTRO SAFA BRIAN TELLS MARIA DAVID HOW HE MASTERED THE ART OF DESCENDING TO BECOME FASTER THAN EVERYONE EXCEPT, PERHAPS, TOM PIDCOCK

time-read
6 mins  |
February 27, 2025
VISION METRON SL 60
Cycling Weekly

VISION METRON SL 60

Super-stiff, responsive race wheels that hold their line when the wind whips up

time-read
2 mins  |
February 27, 2025
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED GIANT TCR ADVANCED O £3,699
Cycling Weekly

RIDDEN AND REVIEWED GIANT TCR ADVANCED O £3,699

Lively all-rounder that offers pro bike pedigree without the premium price tag

time-read
4 mins  |
February 27, 2025
Six days of Paris
Cycling Weekly

Six days of Paris

This is one of those images that makes you feel almost as though you're there in it, soaking up an atmosphere heavy with embrocation and cigarette smoke, those hanging lamps creating a ghostly glow across the arena.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 27, 2025
Alberto Dainese's BMC Teammachine R
Cycling Weekly

Alberto Dainese's BMC Teammachine R

We take a close look at the Italian sprinter's Tudor Pro Cycling team bike

time-read
1 min  |
February 27, 2025
Pogačar has fun in the desert
Cycling Weekly

Pogačar has fun in the desert

World champion wins UAE Tour overall, with some chaos on the way

time-read
3 mins  |
February 27, 2025