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Geraint Thomas commits himself to Team Sky for three more years

Announcement comes day after Welsh rider admitted discussions held with other teams

Geraint Thomas has committed himself to Team Sky for a further three years. The news follows reports over the past 24 hours that the Welsh rider, currently enjoying a great Tour de France, might be leaving the British ProTeam at the end of this season.

Thomas has amply displayed his versatility during this year’s race, spending the first week of it in the best young rider’s jersey after finishing sixth on Stage 1, leading out Edvald Boasson Hagen to victory in Lisieux, and attacking on Thursday as the race headed up the Tourmalet to win that day’s combativity prize.

Earlier in the season, the former British champion had achieved a top-ten placing at the Tour of Flanders, which he has said is his favourite race, got his first ever stage race win in the Bayern Rundfahrt, and helped Bradley Wiggins to overall victory in the Criterium du Dauphiné.

Speaking to the Press Association yesterday, Thomas outlined his plans to help defend Great Britain’s team pursuit Olympic title in London next year – he was a member of the victorious quintet in Beijing – the 25-year-old from Cardiff revealed that he had held discussions with other teams chasing in his signature.

"There's definitely been a few teams interested," Thomas revealed. "It's great for your confidence when there's a few teams that really want you to join them. To have that respect amongst the teams is great and gives you a little buzz when you go out there racing."

Thomas continued: "A couple of the teams I've spoken to said they'd be happy to let me ride in the Games. It means a lot to a lot of people. Just because I'm British it doesn't mean 100% I'd stay. I'm definitely not going to discount them [other offers]. I'd listen to anyone really."

While transfers can’t be revealed until 1 August, teams often use their press conferences on the second rest day of the Tour de France to announce issues such as riders re-signing for the following season.

The fact that the announcement of Thomas’s new contract was only made today, however, suggests that Team Sky were eager to put an end to any speculation over his future, and as word spread of his comments to the BBC yesterday evening, the cyclist himself tweeted, “"For the record... I'm very happy here at Team Sky!!"

Today, quoted on the Team Sky website, Thomas said: "It's great news to be able to commit my future to Team Sky.

"The team have shown their potential over the last 18 months and I am delighted to have been a part of that success. The management have shown real faith in me as a rider and I feel like I'm improving all the time.

"The future is really exciting for Team Sky and British Cycling and I'm thrilled I will be able to play a part in it."

Team Princical Dave Brailsford added: "We are delighted that Geraint has re-signed for another three years with Team Sky.

"We have been determined from the start to build and develop a team around the very best homegrown talent like Geraint.

"The last two weeks at the Tour de France have underlined again his world class abilities and we look forward to seeing even more from him over the next three years."

Team Sky Senior Sports Director Sean Yates commented: “G is one of the strongest riders in the team. You can say anything to him and he carries it out to perfection, he can do it all.

"He's always got the legs and we've seen it time and again this year - he's worth five men really and it's great news. He's fantastic to work with and this gives everyone another lift."

Speaking of how his Tour de France has gone to date, Thomas said:  "I knew I was going well coming into the race but I never really expected to be racing at the front for the best part of two weeks, most of the stages really."

He added: "I thought I could get up there on a couple of days and do my bit for the team at the team time trial but I've just been delighted with how it's all gone for me and hopefully that can continue right through this week now."

 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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Simon_MacMichael | 12 years ago
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The Olympics will only be held in the UK once in his career - once in our lifetimes, in all likelihood - and he's a defending champion. You bet he wants to ride it.

As MercuryOne points out, he's got plenty of time for the TDF afterwards.

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WolfieSmith | 12 years ago
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True. But he's 25. He can concentrate on the road for the rest of his career in 12 months time and I hope he does!

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1961BikiE | 12 years ago
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Well reading G's earlier comments he seemed to be suggesting he might split with Sky as they may force him to ride next years Tour which could nobble his Olympic performance.

Personally I wish he would forget the track and dedicate himself to the road. I think he has the potential to be the greatest British, and certainly Welsh, road cyclist ever. Not that I think he'll get more wins than Cav but I think he has true Grand Tour and classics potential. Still it's his choice. I just think that while the track gives GB riders (and Aussie) a good starting point, for me there comes a point where road and track are incompatible.

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Gkam84 | 12 years ago
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Good news for Sky, but does anyone think it could just be to keep his place at 2012?

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