Geraint Thomas has been backed to chase his dream of winning the Queen of the Classics in Sunday’s Tour of Flanders.

The Cardiff-born flier’s focus has been more on stage racing this season as he sets his sights on challenging for a Grand Tour in the next few years.

But Thomas’ Team Sky outfit were happy to let him compete in Sunday’s race – where he will be joined by fellow Welshman Luke Rowe – despite a lack of action over the feared cobbles this year.

The double Olympic champion was one of the favourites last year following his victory in the E3 Harelbeke the previous week.

But he could not make the jump to Alexander Kristoff’s winning attack and finished 14th having finished a career best eighth in 2014.

Team Sky’s head of performance Rod Ellingworth said: “G personally wants to do it.

“I’ve always said that at the end of the day you’ve got to listen to what the lads want to do, and let them follow their dreams and give them some opportunities in other things.

“Last year before he won E3, he hadn’t ridden on the cobbles in the lead-up.

“It is a gamble, but I think G is up for it. He wants to do it and we’re happy for him to do it. It’s all about condition. If you’ve got the condition, you can do it