"I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas": Thomas retires from cycling in spectacular fashion

Thomas is racing the Tour of Britain with his teammates in a special INEOS jersey. But it’s not just his team that has done something special. Geraint Thomas masks have been handed out, something that even other riders, including Julian Alaphilippe, joined in on. “It’s a bit surreal,” Thomas laughs in an interview with Sporza. “It’s a bit weird because I see my face everywhere.”

But, jokes aside, it’s a truly special week for Thomas. After 19 seasons as a pro, the journey has come to an end. But the ecstatic British fans are making this final race incredibly special. “The support is fantastic. It’s really a privilege to finish here. Now it’s all about enjoying the moment and taking it all in. I’m never going to do this again. I feel a bit like a kid waiting for Christmas. Suddenly, the moment is here.”

With two Olympic gold medals on the track under his belt — and perhaps best of all, his 2018 Tour de France victory — the Brit has cemented his name in cycling history. “I’ve been lucky to experience some great moments. Those three weeks were incredible. Now I’m going to enjoy some time off and stay away from racing for a few weeks. After that, I’m sure the itch will come back.”

It’s still unclear what lies ahead for Thomas after his cycling career. There are persistent rumors that he’ll take on a role as sports director at INEOS Grenadiers, but Thomas himself isn’t revealing much. “There are a few opportunities lurking around the corner. I’m definitely looking forward to what’s next.”

Remco Evenepoel is also racing the Tour of Britain. The winner of stage five had nothing but praise for Thomas. When the Belgian was around 18 years old, Thomas won the Tour de France. “I was at the Tour he won, at Vive le Vélo. And that’s when I got to visit their team bus for the first time. Every Tour winner is an inspiration,” said Evenepoel.

G will be missed in the peloton. Not just by his younger teammates, who benefited from his experience, but also because of who he is as a person. “I get along with him really well. He’s a super cool guy, a really great guy. And the respect is mutual. It’s kind of an unwritten rule that champions respect each other. That’s certainly the case with us.”

“We’re also both good friends with Laurens De Plus. We click well. I’ve never had any issues with G.” Thomas may be a late bloomer, quite the opposite of young prodigy Evenepoel, but the Belgian draws inspiration from the 14-years-older Brit, who won the Tour at the age of 32. “That’s a great example of never giving up. You have to always keep believing. One day, patience pays off.”