GAint Thomas is about to start the first Giro d’Italia of 2024 determined to avenge the painful tears he suffered when losing to Primoz Roglic in a dramatic final time trial a year ago. “This is a difficult and challenging time, but for me it’s not that I had a bad day or did anything seriously wrong,” he said.
“Roglic had a flyer and he deserved to win it. It’s not that I lost – he won. That’s difficult. You lead the Giro at half the distance and then fall behind by 15 seconds on the last day: this It was a tough game but then as. [the psychologist] Steve Peters always said, “Life isn’t fair.” Go ahead.
Thomas is determined to compete in the Giro d’Italia, which starts in Turin next Saturday, as well as this summer’s Tour de France. “After last year I wanted to return to the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France is the Tour de France. In the back of my mind I kept thinking: ‘What the hell, why don’t I try to do both…?’
The last hurray of the Olympics was still on his mind. “I’d love to compete in another Olympics, but I don’t want to buy another tracksuit,” he said. “I want to be good enough to go into games with a medal cry. I already have four jerseys – I don’t need another one.
First, though, there’s the Giro d’Italia and the prospect of trying to beat the seemingly unstoppable dominant force this spring, Tadej Pogacar. “Pogaca was the favorite, but stranger things happened,” Thomas said. “It’s three weeks – it’s not like any other game. Anyone can have a bad day.
So can this wily pro derail the Pogaka Express? “It’s possible,” he replied, “but I’m not one to play mind games. I do my thing – try to be consistent, good and strong throughout. He’s a racing driver and he just likes to win. .When he retires, he will be one of the greatest players of all time.
The Welsh rider was speaking during his final preparations for the Giro d’Italia at the Vuelta a Alps after, like most of his peers, Jonas Venger Big-name riders such as Jonas Vingegaard were absent from the race.
“Everyone is talking about it now because big-name drivers have had crashes, but this has been happening for years,” he said. “Racing already has a risk factor, but I feel like it can do more to improve safety. There’s road infrastructure, traffic calming, curbs, things like that. That also increases the risk factor. When you’re in it , if I think of that, I’ll be behind [of the peloton]. You can’t compete, you can’t do it.
Thomas’ words proved prophetic. Just 48 hours later, during the Tour of the Alps, Australian cyclist Chris Harper crashed headfirst into an unprotected light pole on a fast descent. Fortunately, the 29-year-old escaped with only some skin trauma and a concussion. “Ninety percent of people don’t know the way. [in this race],” Thomas said. “You’re going down these descents, flying down. If this was a new sport, there’s no way it would be allowed.
Thomas fully supports the public statements made by Ineos Grenadiers boss Jim Ratcliffe, who publicly called for stronger cycling safety protocols in mid-April. “Cyclists will always push their limits because they are elite athletes,” Ratcliffe said, before urging David Lappartien, president of the UCI, the world’s governing body, to “ensure the safety of the sport”.
Lapatien’s recent comments that “50 per cent of crashes” were down to what he called the “attitude” of drivers didn’t sit well with Thomas, even as he acknowledged that some drivers take risks he wouldn’t take. “I think Lappartient needs to focus more on the 50 percent he can influence,” Thomas said. “I agree with what he said, but even saying that makes no sense to me. It means that 50% of the task still depends on him and the organizers doing their best.
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Meanwhile, Ratcliffe may have big plans for Manchester United, but Thomas says he also wants to win the Tour de France again. “Jim really wants to win the Tour,” he said. “Fair play – that’s the ultimate goal and that’s what we strive to do. It may take a few years, but I still believe this team can get back there.
Thomas, a long-term Arsenal fan, said he and Ratcliffe exchanged information after the billionaire’s takeover of a majority stake in United became a reality. “After the deal was done, he messaged me just before Christmas and said: ‘Manchester United is happening.’ I was like: ‘Ah, darling – I want you to be Arsenal’s No.2. ” He just replied: ‘Ouch.
Thomas’ old team boss Sir David Brailsford has remained in touch despite devoting much of his time to Ratcliffe’s Manchester project. “My impression is that he still misses the team very much,” Thomas said. “This is truly his child – he started it.
“He’s still passionate about the game. He calls me every now and then. He’s still involved in it but there’s a lot of other things going on. When you see Dave from Sky Sports sitting on Sir Alex Ferguson It’s a little weird when he’s on the side, but he loves a big challenge.
