Geraint Thomas will race on with Ineos Grenadiers till 2025 after signing a brand new contract that may see his time on the British facet span 16 years.
The 2018 Excursion de France winner continues to be a constant Grand Excursion rider regardless of being 37-years-old. He completed an in depth 2nd to Primož Roglič on the Giro d’Italia, simplest dropping the maglia rosa at the level 20 Monte Lussari time trial.
Thomas is predicted to be a group chief but in addition play a mentoring position for more youthful riders.
“I’m truly overjoyed to increase my time as an Ineos Grenadier. I nonetheless simply love driving my motorbike – racing and coaching with the lads – each unmarried facet of it,” Thomas mentioned, confirming that he should not have raced on for some other group and that that is most likely his final contract.
“Even if you ‘by no means say by no means’, in my head that is my final contract – however I do know that I nonetheless have two extra large years in me.
“This group understands me and, importantly, is aware of what it takes to succeed in luck. I’ve adolescence pals right here – Luke [Rowe] and [Ben] Swifty as riders and [Ian] Stannard now in control, and I’ve identified Rod [Ellingworth] since 2003. This truly does really feel like house.”
Ineos Grenadiers introduced Thomas’ contract extension on Monday after a protracted duration with none 2024 roster bulletins from the British group. Different contract extensions are actually anticipated.
Thomas recommended he may go back to the Classics, the place he was once robust within the previous years of his profession, gained E3 Harelbeke and completed within the top-10 of each Paris-Roubaix and the Excursion of Flanders. He additionally hopes to help the following era at Ineos because the British facet vies to once more grow to be the highest group in biking.
“I need to proceed to be extremely aggressive in anything else truly; possibly have a look at going to the Classics once more or trip GC in Grand Excursions or lend a hand whoever goes to be the following man coming via, however I simply need to have a good affect at the group,” mentioned Thomas.
“I’m at that level the place I’m nonetheless hungry to accomplish however on the similar time, I’m glad to lend a hand the group. I would like to take a look at and lend a hand us push ahead to get again to the very peak of the game.”
The inducement for the skilled Welshman was once transparent on the Giro d’Italia the place he got here so as regards to a 2nd Grand Excursion victory.
Crew supervisor Rod Ellingworth was once overjoyed with Thomas’ contract extension and transparent about his an important position within the group’s long term if they’re to expand their younger skill into long term Excursion de France winners.
Ineos Grenadiers have long past 8 Grand Excursions and not using a victory, the most important drought for the reason that group’s inception as Crew Sky in 2010. Egan Bernal’s 2021 Giro d’Italia triumph is their most up-to-date shuttle to the highest step of a podium in one of the most Grand Excursions.
“We’re overjoyed that Geraint’s made up our minds to trip on for some other two years as a Grenadier. ‘G’ is such an integral a part of our group’s set-up and rider tradition,” mentioned Ellingworth.
“Now not simplest has he gained probably the most greatest races on this planet, however he’s additionally proven he’s a real champion off the motorbike, in the course of the an important position he performs around the wider group and with the more youthful riders.
“We all know that his ambition is to race with the most efficient and we noticed this yr simply how shut he got here on the Giro d’Italia. He then had some unhealthy good fortune at Los angeles Vuelta which dominated him out of the working however however fought via to complete with true grit and backbone. It was once vintage G and was once nonetheless inspiring to observe.
“The group’s ambition is to once more stand at the peak step of the Excursion de France podium and Geraint goes to play an essential component in realising that purpose as we deliver via a crop of younger and thrilling skill on the Ineos Grenadiers.”
🗣️ “It simply looks like house.”Watch as @GeraintThomas86 talks about his new contract, his long term targets and what it manner to be a part of the Grenadiers.View the overall video 📽️: https://t.co/q68Z1d1SVw percent.twitter.com/7Tu3eZSn2mOctober 23, 2023