2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas has called Ineos Grenadiers’ management structure “like a coalition government” and described his experience of this year’s Tour as “up and down” .
Thomas finished third in this year’s Giro d’Italia, 25th overall, 9 minutes and 33 seconds behind leader Tadej Pogacar of the United Arab Emirates.
The Welshman is ostensibly taking on a support role for designated Ineos Grenadiers leader Carlos Rodríguez. The team has yet to win a Grand Tour since December 2021, when former team principal Dave Brailsford was appointed as Ineos sporting director.
Asked if he was satisfied with a series of further changes to the team’s management structure, Thomas paused and said: “It’s challenging.
“Before, when Dave was at the top, things were much simpler. Everything was clear. It used to be a simple process, but now it’s become more complex.
“It’s like a coalition government. “You need a majority. Even if you don’t agree with something [before] At least there’s a clear ‘boom, boom, boom’ – that’s it, move on – rather than this gray area.
The team’s management structure has undergone a surprising change ahead of this year’s race, with racing director Steve Cummings being kept at home by the team.
The former professional player is said to be “supporting the team remotely”, with Thomas’ team-mate Tom Pidcock saying of Cummings’ unexpected absence: “I don’t think it will have an impact.”
Thomas, who was not selected for Team GB for Paris 2024 after competing at the past four Olympics, said he had struggled to avoid a feeling of drift during competition. “In the past, I came here knowing exactly where I was and having minimum standards every day,” he said. “I can still do it and meet the minimum expectations, but it’s just so up and down how I feel at the moment.”
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Thomas said he was disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics. “To be honest, I expected it,” he said. “We got a call in March and they said [the selection] It was based on one-day racing, but I said, ‘Okay, I’m only racing Strade Bianche and I’m helping the team so I won’t stand out on the results sheet. I have a feeling they were watching most of this.
Thomas, who won gold at the track in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012, insists his racing skills make him worthy of selection for the men’s Olympic road race.
“Even though I feel down here, I still believe that I can contribute to the team that day, especially without a radio and with a little bit of experience.”
