Racers: Geraint Thomas

In the second of a series of blogs written by our riders, Geraint Thomas pens his thoughts on doubling up.

Well then, the Giro-Tour double it is for me in 2024. 

It's going to be a massive challenge because I've never done it in full before. I did attempt it in 2017 but crashed out of both, so, hopefully, it will be a bit better than that! It's my 18th year as a pro, so I need to mix it up a bit and it’s certainly something which will get me out of bed in the morning. 

That means a largely similar run-in as I had last year, starting with Algarve a few days back then: Strade Bianche, Catalunya, Sierra Nevada as an altitude camp, Tour of the Alps and then on to the Giro d’Italia. That will be around 18 days of racing going into the Giro, so not a hell of a lot for obvious reasons really, because by the time you get to the Tour you don't want to have 50-odd days in you.

The off-season has gone well, certainly in comparison to last year where I was ill on and off and getting prepared for the Giro in the end was quite hectic. This year I spent some time in the USA before heading back to our old stomping grounds in Mallorca for the big pre-season camp with the whole team which was great. We’ve also recently completed our first altitude camp of the year up at Teide and there was a great vibe in the group that was there.

I spoke to my coach Conor back in December about doing both and he felt that it was physically doable but that it was just down to the mental side and the nutrition. That started a whole discussion with the team but when we finally came to the decision it felt like ‘boom’, and then suddenly everything went up a level. 

I suppose the obvious question is ‘how do you manage both’? It's certainly different but I think that the block between the Giro and the Tour is the main thing. I've said so much about weight, that's the key bit really, so just staying on the ball there is going to be really important. We'll have to go to altitude again too, we'll go somewhere closer to home so the family can still come out and it will be a bit more relaxed. 

It’s a massive challenge to be at my best for that length of time, and I’ve never done it. For me, it will take a lot of mental effort, as well as physical. It’s something that excites me really, it makes me scared too but that’s a good thing. I’ve been around the block so it’s good to mix things up a bit and this will keep me dialled, focused and on it. 

There’s also the small matter of the Olympic Games in Paris. I’m not sure yet about selection for that, and perhaps the fact that I’m doing so much might count against me, but I’d really love to go. It would be an honour to be selected for Team GB.

The lineups for the Giro are yet to be confirmed but it’s going to be a big challenge coming up against Tadej (Pogacar). I’d prefer if he wasn’t going but at the same time having him there is great. It’ll change the race completely and his team will take on the weight of the race and everything that comes with that. In years to come he’ll have a massive legacy as one of the greatest bike riders ever. 

I’m not retiring him already but he’s incredible, so just to be competitive with him and go for the same thing is exciting. At the end of the day so much can happen and go right and wrong. I certainly know a lot about that. We’ll see, I’m relishing the challenge. It’s a big goal.

As for the Tour, we’ll take that as it comes. Whether that means I’m racing for myself or I’m helping Carlos, Tom or anyone else in the high mountains or riding on the flat, I don’t know. But that’s part of the excitement too.

It’s a big year ahead but I just want to thank everyone for the support and I hope to see you along the road somewhere.

G