Thomas targetting Giro time trials

The two-time team pursuit Olympic champion has announced his intention to target the year's first Grand Tour, as he skips the spring classics in favour of a shot at the Giro.

In previous seasons, Thomas has led Team Sky's plans at the early-season Monuments and Belgian classics, before switching focus to stage racing and helping Chris Froome win three Tours de France.

So far his best finish has been 15th at Le Tour, achieved in each of the past two seasons, but his 2015 performance at La Grande Boucle left many observers thinking he had a shot at a Grand Tour podium.

And the Welshman, 30, is hoping the 67km of individual time trialling at this year's Giro will give him a strong base on which to build a push for the Maglia Rosa.

Thomas will form a two-pronged Team Sky attack in Italy, and sporting director Dario Cioni told Cycling Weekly that this year's course give Thomas a realistic shot at the podium.

"There's a long time trial and then another time trial towards the end – on that side it's pretty good," the Italian said.

"Compared to the past editions of the Giro [this route] is missing the crazy steep climbs. We've still got really, really hard stages [but] you're missing the vertical wall.

"The Mortirolo [climb] you go up the other side and it's not as hard.

"I think for him, his goal is to gain time in the time trials and defend himself on the mountain stages." Sportsbeat 2017