Geraint: I’ve Not Decided If I’ll Defend Tour de France Crown Yet!

Geraint Thomas insists he has yet to decide if he will defend his Tour de France crown next year – but says he and Chris Froome can both target victory.

The reigning champ was at the presentation of the 2019 route in Paris on Thursday along with four-time champ Froome.

Thomas ended Froome’s reign as he became the first Welshman to win the world’s greatest race last July, but has yet to decide which Grand Tour he will ride next year.

“By the end of this year, I will know which Grand Tour I will ride,” said Cardiff-born Thomas who has had a seven week break from cycling to celebrate his success and have a holiday with his wife.

“First, I have to crawl back on the bike and start training again.

“I’m looking forward to going training again because it has been a bit of a crazy off-season.

“I’m looking forward to training again and having some big goals again. I’ve still got a few busy weeks ahead but I can’t wait to ride my bike and be tired from training and not from travelling and nights out.”

Geraint Thomas on his way to Tour de France glory. Pic: Getty Images.

 

Chances are Thomas will defend his Yellow Jersey and insists there will be no issues with Team Sky team-mate Froome, third this year, who will be desperate for that record-equalling fifth title.

He added: ”I think that it will be similar to this year in the way that we rode together. We were always honest with each other and I don’t see why we can’t do that again,.

Thomas will face five summit finishes – three of them over 2000m – when the Tour starts in Belgium on July 6.

And Tour chiefs are looking to ban power metres from next year’s race in the hope of spic ing up the racing and take away some of Sky’s dominance of the event.

Geraint Faces Five Summit Battle On Tour De France Defence

Of the route, Thomas said: ”It’s hard to say when you see it so quickly but I think as ever, it’s tough and I think it will be as exciting as ever.

“There are some big stages and, obviously, a lot of climbs finishing over 2,000 metres and the medium mountain stages look hard too. It’s going to be a tough race.

“It will suit the typical Tour specialist, a rider with a strong team around him, there’s a lot of medium mountain stage, and the time trial in Pau will also be crucial. So it will need a well-rounded rider and team to win it.

“I wouldn’t say that any of the summit finishes worry me, but stages like the one to the summit of the Tourmalet and to Val Thorens will be exciting stages.

“That second one comes after 33 kilometres of climbing and after what is another really challenging day. There are certainly some big, big days where a lot can happen.”