2018 Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas signs a two-year contract extension with Ineos Grenadiers

Updated 23/10/2023 at 11:46 GMT

Geraint Thomas expects this to be the final contract he signs as a professional cyclist, but insists he still has more to achieve as he looks to add further titles to his incredible palmares. The two-time Olympic champion - who won the Tour de France in 2018 - says he wants to play a key role for the team next season, whether that is leading from the front or helping develop future riders.

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Geraint Thomas has extended his stay with Ineos Grenadiers for a further two year spell, but suggests it could be his swan song.

The 2018 Tour de France champion has signed a new contract to keep him with the team until the end of the 2025 season.

Thomas - who calls the Ineos team his “second home” - will have been with them for 16 years when his new deal comes to its end.

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Highly respected for his achievements in cycling, Thomas, 37, said: “I am really delighted to extend my time as an Ineos Grenadier. I still just love riding my bike – racing and training with the boys – every single aspect of it.”

“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.

“This team understands me and, importantly, knows what it takes to achieve success.

“This really does feel like home.

“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,” he said.

Thomas narrowly missed out on a first victory at the Giro d’Italia earlier this year and, despite suffering several crashes on the way, led the Grenadiers to the end of La Vuelta.

With a new contract in the bag, Thomas has now set his sights on what more he can achieve in the sport.

His resume already boasts victories at some of the world’s most highly regarded road-racing events including Criterium du Dauphine, Tour de Suisse and the Commonwealth Games.

That is without mentioning the Olympic Games, where he is a double gold medallist on the track following success in Beijing and London.

Geraint Thomas won the 2018 Tour de France

Image credit: Eurosport

So, what more does he want to tick off his list?

“I want to continue to be highly competitive in anything really; maybe look at going to the Classics again or ride GC 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,” he said.

As happy as Thomas is to extend his stay, the Grenadiers are equally delighted to have retained their iconic leader.

Deputy Team Principal Rod Ellingworth 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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