Thomas says Evenepoel has to prove it in this field first in a big round: "But he's favorite"

During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Thomas shared with IDLProCycling.com and others that he finds it challenging to accurately assess Evenepoel's capabilities. "Remco is an incredibly strong rider, and he's been made a favorite by Jumbo-Visma for this Vuelta. I'm eager to see how he handles being the marked rider. I'm not implying that he's lacking in grand tours, given that he won last year's Vuelta. However, his strengths have primarily shone in one-day races, where he could go all out for a single day. Nevertheless, I anticipate him being exceptionally formidable here."

Regarding his own preparation for the Vuelta, Thomas is content. The seasoned rider noted that he had faced a bacterial infection leading up to the Giro d'Italia, yet managed to secure second place in Italy. For the Vuelta, he encountered no such setbacks. "I had a solid eight days of altitude training with De Plus (Laurens) and our families after the World Championships. I'm feeling quite good, and my training sessions have been productive. I'm well-prepared and eagerly anticipating the race."

Nonetheless, the INEOS Grenadiers' Welshman has maintained a reserved demeanor. While Thomas is positioned as the prominent leader, he emphasized in the original press release that he intends to reserve judgment until after the initial week of racing before sounding too confident. This sentiment remained consistent during the press conference. "You aim for two peaks in the season, which is typically only one," he elucidated.

Embarking on two grand tours within a single year is a unique endeavor for Thomas; the last and only time he accomplished this feat (and completed both tours) was in 2015. Therefore, he's not entirely accustomed to the challenge. "I'm away from home for an extended period. High-profile races are imperative, but they can be demanding, as they keep me away from my family," he enumerated the drawbacks. Yet, driven by a clear objective, the sacrifices become more palatable, even while considering the horizon of 2024. "I'd like to return to the Tour then, although we'll soon discuss that, along with my contract, over a drink."