"Geraint Thomas, filled with emotion, reflects on his challenging and poignant Tour de France finale"
Geraint Thomas' final Tour de France was a fitting end to a remarkable career, marked by rain and challenges that mirrored the veteran cyclist's feelings about the race. Thomas, a member of Ineos Grenadiers, completed his 14th overall appearance in the Tour, making him the oldest rider in the competition.
Despite a poor overall performance that saw him finish 58th, over three hours down on Tadej Pogacar, Thomas expressed happiness about completing the race and about his decision to retire. His final stage was a challenging one, with rain-soaked roads and dangerous conditions, reflecting the toughness of the Tour de France.
Thomas described the final stage as the "worst last stage [he's] ever done," but also the "best last lap [he's] ever done." The Welsh rider, who made his Tour de France debut in 2007 at the age of 21, followed in Bradley Wiggins' footsteps and became a GC rider. Thomas' most significant achievements in the Tour include winning the overall title in 2018, finishing second in 2019, and third in 2022.
Ineos Grenadiers, Thomas' team, won two stages in the 2022 Tour de France, with Thymen Arensman being a key contributor to their success. However, the team was rocked by controversy when David Rozman, head carer, was sent home from the Tour due to an investigation by the International Testing Agency (ITA) into alleged messages he sent to convicted doping doctor Mark Schmidt in 2012 and 2013. Ineos Grenadiers issued a statement indicating they will cooperate with the ITA and any other authorities regarding the investigation.
As Thomas prepares for retirement, he is expected to take up a key role in Ineos team management. Thomas believes the sport of cycling has become more chaotic and may be more suited for younger riders. His farewell tour will take place at the Lloyds Tour of Britain with final stages in Wales, including routes past key places in his career such as the Maindy Velodrome where he began cycling and the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome named in his honor.
Thomas' retirement marks the end of a storied career that saw him evolve from a young domestique to overall winner and veteran leader. His legacy in the Tour de France includes winning the overall title in 2018, finishing on the podium in 2019 and 2022, and a respectful, celebrated retirement on his home roads in 2025.
Sports are often associated with challenges and Thomas' final Tour de France was no exception. Despite a disappointing performance, Geraint Thomas, a veteran cyclist, found joy in completing the race and described his final stage as the "worst last stage [he's] ever done," but also the "best last lap [he's] ever done," reflecting his resilience in the sports world.
