Thomas Looking To Tour De France With Tour De Suisse End In Sight

Geraint Thomas reckoned Saturday’s time trial display mirrored his Tour de Suisse effort – solid but unspectacular.

The Cardiff-born rider finished ninth on the stage clocking 22 minutes 04 four seconds.

Thomas finished 33 seconds down on stage winner Ion Izaguirre of Movistar to stay eighth overall.

The Team Sky rider is one min 30 secs back on new race leader Angel Lopez ahead of Sunday’s final stage.

Astana rider Lopez finished second on the stage, four seconds behind Izagirre, with home favourite Fabian Cancellara third on the lumpy 17km course.

Thomas had high hopes of winning the nine-day event after his second place last year but will now look to freshen-up ahead of the Tour de France which starts in July 2.

The 30-year-old said: “It sums up my week really. I was there or thereabouts, but just lacking that last 10per cent which I needed.

“But it wasn’t too bad.

“In general this wasn’t what I wanted coming into the race but I’ve learnt a few things.

“I probably pushed it a bit too much beforehand in training and I’ve paid the price for that a bit.

“But hopefully I can fuel up now,  and freshen up now and I’ll be ready for the Tour.

“It’s been a tough week weather-wise and thankfully today was the first day we didn’t have any real proper rain.

“That’s added to the gruelling nature of the week, but it’s definitely been a good work out – that’s for sure.”