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Geraint Thomas is getting ready for a return to the Giro d’Italia this Could, combining the Italian Grand Tour the place he completed second final yr with the Tour de France a month later.
The Welshman might be taking over Tadej Pogačar at each races because the pair goal to develop into the primary rider to do the Giro-Tour double since Marco Pantani in 1998.
For Thomas, who narrowly missed out on Giro victory on the penultimate day to Primož Roglič, seeing Pogačar announce his participation within the race actually complicates his personal probabilities of bringing residence the maglia rosa.
Nevertheless, he instructed La Gazzetta dello Sport that will probably be thrilling simply to compete towards Pogačar in Italy, win or lose.
“It is Pogačar and I’d have most popular him to not come, however on the identical time having him is incredible,” he stated. “His participating adjustments the race and his staff will carry the load of the race, however within the years to come back he’ll go away an enormous legacy as one of many best ever.
“He is unimaginable, so simply to be aggressive with him and struggle for a similar factor is thrilling.”
Each riders are taking over a brand new problem in 2024 as they goal to be at their finest on the Giro and Tour.
Solely six riders have achieved the feat of profitable each – Fausto Coppi (twice), Jacques Anquetil (as soon as), Eddy Merckx (twice), Bernard Hinault (twice) and Miguel Indurain (twice) – whereas Alberto Contador (winner and fifth in 2015), Chris Froome (winner and third in 2018) and Tom Dumoulin (second at each in 2018) have come closest in current historical past.
Thomas referred to as it a “enormous problem” for him to remain at peak type for each races, with 34 days separating the 2 races this season.
“It is merely an enormous problem to be at my finest for thus lengthy, and I’ve by no means executed it earlier than, however I like these new issues,” Thomas stated. “They’re the issues that give which means to your being as a rider.
“For me, it would take a variety of psychological dedication in addition to bodily. It is one thing that excites me. It scares me too, however it’s an excellent factor. It is my nineteenth yr as a professional, so it is good to combine issues up a bit and that can maintain me focussed.”
Relying on his type in France, Thomas may discover himself driving for GC – Pogačar might be battling Roglič, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard there – or supporting Ineos Grenadiers’ youthful GC hopes, Carlos Rodríguez and Tom Pidcock.
“I assumed, ‘What do I’ve to lose?’ I will go to the Giro, get the most effective outcome there, then go to the Tour in the very best form,” he stated. “If it means racing for myself or serving to Carlos Rodríguez within the mountains or on the flat, I nonetheless do not know, however that is additionally a part of the enjoyable.
“Sepp Kuss did three Grand Excursions final yr, which was an unimaginable job. The interval between the Giro and the Tour might be vital after which the street race on the Olympics can also be in my ideas.
“On the finish of the day, so many issues can occur, each good and unhealthy, and I actually know one thing about that,” he concluded, referring to the Monte Lussari time trial final yr. “We’ll see. I am having fun with the problem.”
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