Thomas bites back at critics: "Have you yourself ever done anything that required you to push yourself to the extreme?"

Geraint Thomas has responded to the criticism INEOS Grenadiers received for their tactics during the second stage in his podcast, Watts Occuring. As the British team, with Jhonatan Narváez wearing the pink jersey, took control of the race towards Oropa, Tadej Pogacar clinched both the stage win and the leader's jersey on the iconic climb.

"I need to get something off my chest," Thomas starts, speaking to his co-host and confidant Luke Rowe on the podcast. "In grand tours, I stay as far away from social media as possible because it's full of opinions and the like. However, I was on the massage table and clicked on X, and immediately, a guy - whose name I won't mention because it would give him more attention - popped up criticizing us. Questioning why we were riding, saying we were doing the work for UAE, and so on."

Thomas has an explanation for the chosen strategy. "There was a technical section with a few climbs in the route, but also dangerous descents through villages, with cobblestones and not the best roads. Then the final climb started, so we decided to take control early. Eddie Dunbar, for instance, fell somewhere there and is now out of the race..."

"It was just chaotic, but from the front, you can control things. You have three men riding in front of you instead of fifty, so less can go wrong," explains the Welshman. "When a so-called journalist says something like that on X - and don't get me wrong, there are many good journalists too - then other people take it as truth. But guys, have you ever done something that required you to push yourself to the extreme?" Thomas wonders aloud.

The INEOS team leader doesn't understand the fuss. "Obviously, everyone at the start knows that Pogacar is an amazing rider, but shouldn't you at least try? Everyone arrives here in top form to give their all, so it's illogical to cut down everyone who doesn't win. Get a life," Thomas directs at the critics.

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Thomas encourages Arensman after a tough opening weekend at the Giro

In the shadow of Thomas, designated deputy leader Thymen Arensman already lost significant time during a tough opening weekend, but the leader is far from worried about the Dutchman. "He wasn't feeling great during the Tour of Romandy, but generally, he isn't at his best at the start of a race. He's not where he'd like to be, but the Giro lasts three weeks, and a lot can happen during that time."

"He's now four minutes behind, but that's due to Pogacar. So, he's not miles away from the rest, and the important thing now is to boost his confidence," Thomas said. "It's crucial to keep doing the basics right and keep morale high, because that really matters. If you mentally give up in a three-week race, you make it much tougher. Staying positive is key, as physically, the differences are so small."