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Geraint Thomas crashes and abandons Tokyo Olympic road race as Carapaz wins gold

"I think I must have done something bad in a previous life"...

Geraint Thomas has been forced to abandon the Tokyo Olympics men’s road race after a heavy crash.

The Welshman was involved in a crash with around 150km of the race around Mount Fuji still to go.

At the finish, his Team Ineos Grenadiers teammate Richard Carapaz took the gold medal with Wout van Aert coming second and Tadej Pogacar winning bronze. 

Commentating,  Chris Boardman said: “You wouldn’t believe it would you...

“Geraint Thomas gives a shake of the head after yet another crash this year.”

Thomas, 35, managed to stick with the bunch as they rode over the iconic Fuji Sanroku climb.

However, once the group arrived on the Fuji International Speedway, around 60km from the finish, Thomas decided to call it a day. 

Thomas's departure leaves just three Team GB riders still in the race - Tao Geoghegan Hart, as well as Simon and Adam Yates.

Today's 234km route goes from Musashinonomori Park to the Fuji International Speedway,

Crash prone Thomas had a difficult Tour de France over the past few weeks, after he crashed on stage three and suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Thomas had been hoping to lay to rest his previous disappointment in the men's road race at the Olympics, after he crashed while part of the leading group in Rio in 2016.

Posting on Twitter, Thomas said: "I think I must have done something bad in a previous life."

Thomas explained that the 'freak crash' was caused by his teammate Geoghegan Hart slipping and hitting the floor in front of him.

Richard Carapaz, 28, rode clear in the final stages of the thrilling race to win thrilling by one minute seven seconds.

Belgium's Wout van Aert took silver by a tyre's width from Slovenia's Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar in the sprint for the remaining medals.

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5 comments

Avatar
Flintshire Boy | 2 years ago
1 like

What, G crashes?

Who'd a thought it?

Avatar
Awavey | 2 years ago
2 likes

Sky News had a really odd headline take on the race,it basically went  "Team GBs hopes of a medal were dashed when Thomas pulled out, but Adam Yates almost took bronze in the same event".

I realise Thomas has the higher media profile among the general public, but it wouldnt hurt to be a bit more realistic on who was the more likely medal contender.

but theyve probably got Lizzie D down as a favourite to win the womens race as well.

 

Avatar
Chris Hayes replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
3 likes

I noted that Adam brushed aside the post-race interviewer's attempts to discuss Thomas.

But was a race - 260km, 30+ degrees, 80% humidity - and a desperate scrap to the finish.  One of the best races I've seen for a while and well done Carapaz.

Avatar
HarrogateSpa | 2 years ago
5 likes

Adam Yates did better than Thomas - would an article about him be more interesting?

Avatar
Global Nomad | 2 years ago
1 like

Thomas said: "I think I must have done something bad in a previous life.".......

would you adam and eve it....doing a G...again

 

 

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