Geraint Thomas dropped out of Tour de Suisse top 10 after 'really bad day'
British rider Geraint Thomas suffered throughout the Tour de Suisse, eventually placing 17th overall after losing over 11 minutes on the final shortened stage
British hope Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) suffered in the cold conditions in the final stage of the Tour de Suisse on Sunday, losing 11 minutes to his key rivals and tumbling out of the top 10.
Team Sky sports director Gabrial Rasch reported that Thomas had a 'really bad day' on the final stage that was shortened to just 57 kilometres after adverse weather conditions ruled out the Albulapass hors categorie climb.
Thomas had previously suffered in the cold during the race's two previous mountain stages, which was put down to the weight loss he has achieved in an attempt to improve his climbing. The 30-year-old appeared to bounce back during Saturday's penultimate individual time trial stage, where he finished ninth and was placed eighth overall.
However, he could not keep pace with the front runners on Sunday and came home in 91st place, losing 11 minutes and one second to stage winner Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling). He ended up 17th overall, 12-31 behind winner Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana).
"G had a really bad day," said Rasch. "He was super cold on the top of that mountain and when he knew he couldn't follow the guys and he didn't have anything to fight for he just got to the finish in his own time.
>>> Jarlinson Pantano wins stage nine of the Tour de Suisse as Miguel Angel Lopez seals overall
"All of the guys did well this week and tried really hard for G. That was the plan and everyone gave up their own ambitions to do that. G was just lacking that final 10 per cent to be up there."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thomas was riding the Tour de Suisse as leader for Sky and was one of the main contenders having placed second overall last year. The Welshman has refocussed on riding stage races for 2016 rather than classics, and is hoping to put in a solid ride in the Tour de France alongside team-mate and defending champion Chris Froome.
Watch: Tour de France 2016 essential guide
Thomas went into the Tour de Suisse after a training block with Froome and other select members of Team Sky on Tenerife. Team Sky sports director Nicolas Portal told Cycling Weekly last week that both Thomas and Froome will be supported riders for the Tour.
“He’s [Thomas] never done a top five or top 10 in a Grand Tour," said Portal. "It’s step by step for ‘G’. It will be more than a dream if we have two there on the podium in the Tour."
The 2016 Tour de France starts in less than two weeks' time, on Saturday July 2. Sky has yet to confirm their nine-man roster for the race.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Tweets of the week: Brutal weather at Flèche, an idiot sandwich and is there a new POC helmet?
There's a lot of love for Kasia Niewiadoma, and it turns out Norwegians are good in bad weather
By Adam Becket Published
-
Juanpe López wins Tour of the Alps, does 34 kick-ups with a football
'My coach said to do it for Betis,' says Spaniard of his boyhood football club
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It was one of the hardest days of my life' - Rain and cold lay waste to Tour of the Alps
Juanpe López takes stage three victory, while Geraint Thomas finishes three minutes down in inclement Austrian weather
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published