Geraint Thomas resumed his Tour de France preparations today finishing ninth in the time trial at the Iztulia Basque Country.

The reigning Tour champ finished 30 seconds down on Germany’s Max Schahmann on the 11.3km course Zumarraga – Zumarraga which saw changing conditions for the riders after a downpour.

Thomas also opted along with Team Sky team-mate Michal Kwiatkowski – who was third fastest 10 secs slower – to switch from the TT-bike to a road bike at the foot of the main climb, the 9.5percent average Antio.

 

“We were pretty sure before the stage that it was going to be the right tactic, but after the recon we decided to do the bike change for nearly every rider,” said Team Sky’s Gabriel Rasch. “Kwiato and G did a good TT and they look like they are in a good place going forwards.

“We have three stages coming up with three uphill finishes. They look like sprint stages, but they are not for the pure sprinters, every day has some challenges, Tuesday,  for example, has a gravel section late on.

“And each of three stages are ones that Kwiato has a chance of winning, and it will be a case of not losing any time for G, maybe gaining some time before the mountain stages at the weekend.”

Thomas was making only his fourth appearance of the year having started his campaign later than usual following his Tour celebrations after his historic victory last July.

The Cardiff-born rider was 44th on the Volta a Catalunya, 12th at Strade Bianche but Did Not Finish the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in Italy.

Thomas then saw a training camp in Tenerife disrupted by snow.

Aberystwyth’s Stevie Williams was 116th as he made his belated pro Tour bow for Bahrain Merida after a niggling knee injury.

The 22-year-old stopped the clock one minute 54 secs down on the stage winner.

Stevie Williams Aiming To Basque In Glory After Five Months In The Shade