Plays down 2010 Tour expectations but says fellow Welshman has very good potential
While Geraint Thomas didn’t succeed in his goal of taking the yellow jersey on Saturday’s lumpy stage of the Tour de France, the 24 year old has received a strong endorsement from Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford, who believes he is one of the big talents in British cycling.
"There may have been surprise at home about the way Thomas has performed, but there's no surprise in the team," Brailsford told the BBC’s Back Page radio show.
"He's worked with us for several years since he was a young lad, he's a very, very talented athlete. His focus so far has been on the track, but now he's had a block of time to focus on the road,” said Brailsford.
"He's got a very good sprint and on undulating, low hills he's very strong. He's probably more suited to one of the one-day classics, but... he's learning all the time and gaining experience.
"It's very much open to see how he develops over the next couple of years and gets the most out of his career."
Thomas has had a very impressive first season with Team Sky, finishing fourth in the prologue and third on stage one of the Criterium du Dauphiné, then placing a strong fifth in the opening time trial of the Tour de France. He moved into second overall on stage three to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, finishing runner-up to Thor Hushovd on the stage, and took over as best young rider in the race.
His strong start to the race led many to speculate that he could succeed Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) as race leader, but he didn’t climb as well as he had hoped on the stage to Station des Rousses. Still, it’s been an impressive Tour to date for him, and one which has pleased fellow Welshman Brailsford to see.
What he wants now is for the media and others to let the young rider get on with the race, doing his work for the team and not having too much pressure put on his shoulders. There’s a chance he could complete a Bradley Wiggins-type transformation in future years, shedding weight to become a much better climber, but Brailsford doesn’t expect big things at high altitude this time round.
"Nobody should get too excited [about Thomas in the 2010 Tour]," he said. “He won't be able to hold the same pace as the pure mountain leaders and will drop away from the top of the leaderboard over time.
"It's a question of him assuming his role and helping [Team Sky leader] Bradley Wiggins, doing everything he can to help him in his quest for the general classification."
Thomas said that he was delighted with how things have gone, but that he’s been able to enjoy the moment rather than being fixated on the final result. “To [have been] sitting second in the Tour de France - you don't do that every day, do you?” he stated. “It's nice and it's been good, especially wearing the white jersey for a few days. I didn't even dream of that, I was focused on helping Brad, so it's a really nice bonus.”
Thomas sacrificed his chances yesterday when he was one of a few Team Sky riders to hammer the pace on the Col de la Ramaz. That led to Lance Armstrong’s dramatic collapse and essentially changed the course of the race.
The Welshman ultimately rolled in as part of a group over 27 minutes down, and is 69th overall heading into today’s rest day.