Geraint Thomas counting down the days after another grueling stage: "Can’t wait for the Tour to be over"
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Follow us on GoogleGeraint Thomas is okay with retiring from professional cycling after 2025. The Welshman is currently riding in the Tour de France, but apart from one day in the breakaway on stage 7, he has been fairly anonymous. After a furious stage on day 16 and a grueling climb up Mont Ventoux with a headwind, Thomas was honest at the top, according to
Eurosport.
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Thomas announced earlier this year that 2025 will be his last year as a professional cyclist, and he is now counting down the days until his retirement. At the top of Ventoux, he said with a smile: "I'm glad I don't have to ride Mont Ventoux anymore. The crowd was amazing, with people standing in rows for the entire 15 kilometers and cheering loudly. I definitely enjoyed it one last time."
However, there is a big 'but' in the air: "I can't wait for the Tour to be over. I'll keep trying, but I'm feeling my age at the moment, even though I still look young. It's hard work, especially in the peloton, which has gotten stronger," he said. "The whole peloton is in better shape than it used to be. So many guys ride hard and keep attacking; they just keep going."
Read more below the photo.
Thomas sees Tour peloton going faster than ever
Thomas has observed this trend in recent years, but in the current Tour de France, it's faster than ever, with a new record set every day. With speeds of 50 kilometers per hour and often even higher in the opening hours, it's hard work for Thomas. “Hats off to them, and if they have the legs for it, why not? I wouldn't attack as much if I could still do so. The peloton has become much stronger across the board in recent years.”
The now 39-year-old Thomas will continue his farewell tour after the Tour de France, with the Tour of Germany, before competing in the Tour of Britain. No other races are planned yet, so perhaps it will all be over after August. Thomas will certainly be able to look back with satisfaction on his career, which includes winning the Tour de France in 2018, finishing second in the Giro d'Italia in 2023, and third in 2024. He also finished on the podium in the Tour in 2019 (second place) and 2022 (third place).
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
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- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026
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- Finishing on the same day the men race Stage 20 is a nice touch, but I hope the women’s race gets plenty of coverage too.pedalpowe2903-11-2026
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- Seixas has said he’s bored with the transfer talk, so maybe the article could give more space to the racing itself. He’s under contract until 2027; there’s no need to turn every appearance into a signing saga.velodromevirtuoso103-11-2026