British male cyclist's Tour concludes in Cardiff, honoring Geraint Thomas in his last professional race.
Capping Off a Legendary Career: Geraint Thomas' Final Ride and the Possible 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ
Prepare for a thrilling finish as the Men's Tour of Britain might end in Cardiff this September, honoring Geraint Thomas, potentially marking his swan song with Ineos Grenadiers.
The finale is rumored to unfold in the heart of Cardiff, right beneath the grandiose shadows of Cardiff Castle, and skimming the perimeter of the Maindy Flyers Cycling Club's velodrome - the club where the 2018 Tour de France victor first dipped his wheels in the world of cycling. Although the precise 2025 route details are still being hammered out with local officials, discussions are underway.
During his retirement announcement, Thomas, speaking on his Watts Occurring podcast, expressed a heartfelt desire for Rod Ellingworth, his former coach, to orchestrate a grand farewell for him at the concluding event of his professional career. The duo's longstanding alliance traces back to their time together on the British Cycling academy, a partnership that persisted when Ellingworth joined Ineos Grenadiers.
Thomas articulated, "If you could pick anything then it would be finishing on home roads, and the Tour of Britain is exactly that. Rod [Ellingworth], who's my old coach from the academy, then obviously he was part of [Team] Sky for so many years, he's the race director there as well. So I've asked him to pull a few favors, possibly go into Wales for the final stage, perhaps Cardiff city center outside the castle, that would be awesome."
Besides the castle, the race organizers are reportedly planning a journey across nearby Caerphilly Mountain, a site last used in the Tour of Britain in 2023, before making their way to Cardiff.
Ellingworth, in a conversation with Velo, did not completely dismiss the notion of a Cardiff route: "There's a few little challenges but the final part will be dead exciting and I think there'll be some really good racing. As Geraint is retiring, I think it will be a brilliant finish for him."
Intriguing whispers suggest that the Tour of Britain Men might serve as a testing ground for potential routes slated for the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ in the UK. The final day into Cardiff could be one of the stages ASO considers employing during the race's visit to Britain, according to sources. However, ASO has yet to comment officially on the matter.
A representative from British Cycling shared, "We'll be announcing details of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men's stages soon, and we look forward to sharing all of the official route news with eager fans."
With Edinburgh deemed as the starting point for the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ, and England and Wales hosting additional stages, specifics about the routes and stages for both the Tour de France and the Tour of Britain are anticipated to be unveiled in the near future.
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The Men's Tour of Britain might feature an exciting final stage that potentially serves as Geraint Thomas' last race with Ineos Grenadiers, showcasing his passion for competitive sports.
Rumors abound that the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ could draw inspiration from the Tour of Britain, hinting at a potential shared route, emphasizing the growing significance of sports events in the UK.
