By Gareth James
Geraint Thomas has suggested he will have two more years in cycling before he rides off into the sunset.
The Welsh legend has a two-year contract extension with Ineos Grenadiers which will see him continue racing until 2025.
The 37-year-old finished second in this year’s Giro d’Italia and became an icon of Welsh sport when he won the Tour de France in 2018.
He has been a consistent performer in France since his maiden victory, finishing second in the race in 2019 and third in 2022.
https://twitter.com/eurosport/status/1716425037685600337?s=20
But the Cardiff-born rider hinted at a potential retirement upon the conclusion of this latest contract.
“Although you ‘never say never’, in my head this is my last contract – but I know that I still have two more big years in me – and I wouldn’t have continued in a different team,” Thomas, who has spent 14 years with the team, said.
“This team understands me and, importantly, knows what it takes to achieve success… We’re an ambitious group and have some big goals ahead.
“I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in again and want to help the team continue to progress.”
Outside of cycling’s Grand Tours, Thomas’ other road-racing successes includes victories at Paris-Nice, Criterium du Dauphine, Tour de Suisse, E3 Harelbeke, Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta, Bayern-Rundfahrt and Commonwealth Games gold.
Another two years with Ineos for Geraint Thomas! ✅ #BBCCycling #INEOSGrenadiers pic.twitter.com/2O69CKLzwM
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 23, 2023
He is also a double Olympic champion on the track, having won gold medals at the Beijing and London Games.
But Thomas is ambitious to remain competitive in future races but added he would also be willing to help younger talent break through.
“I want to continue to be highly competitive in anything really,” Thomas said.
“Maybe look at going to the Classics again or ride [for the general classification] in Grand Tours or help whoever is going to be the next guy coming through, but I just want to have a positive impact on the team.
“I’m at that stage where I’m still hungry to perform but at the same time, I am happy to help the team. I want to try and help us push forward to get back to the very top of the sport.”
“It’s just been an amazing career so far and hopefully it can continue in that way.”
Geraint Thomas to race on with Ineos Grenadiers until 2025 https://t.co/3jza6vy0KL
— Cyclingnews (@Cyclingnewsfeed) October 23, 2023
Rod Ellingworth, Ineos deputy team principal, said: “We’re thrilled that Geraint’s decided to ride on for another two years as a Grenadier.
‘G’ is such an integral part of our team’s set-up and rider culture. Not only has he won some of the biggest races in the world, but he’s also shown he’s a true champion off the bike, through the crucial role he plays across the wider team and with the younger riders.
“We know that his ambition is to race with the best and we saw this year just how close he came at the Giro d’Italia.
“He then had some bad luck at La Vuelta which ruled him out of the running but nevertheless fought through to finish with true grit and determination. It was classic G and was still inspiring to watch.
“The team’s ambition is to again stand on the top step of the Tour de France podium and Geraint is going to play an integral part in realising that goal as we bring through a crop of young and exciting talent at the Ineos Grenadiers.”
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