Geraint Thomas after leading out Mark Cavendish to sprint victory at Giro d’Italia – ‘Help a brother out!’

Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) admitted he wanted to “help a brother out” after seeing Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) light on support in the finale to Stage 21 at the Giro d’Italia.

The Welshman was spotted speaking to Cavendish with 2.2km remaining of Sunday’s tear-up around Rome before moving to the front of the bunch and driving on the pace.

Cavendish slotted in third wheel behind Astana team-mate Luis Leon Sanchez as Thomas’ pace ensured his friend and former colleague would not be boxed in.

“I was just there and I saw he only had Luis Leon [Sanchez] with him and I thought I’d help a brother out,” Thomas told Eurosport’s Adam Blythe at the finish.

Thomas and Cavendish were team-mates at Sky Procycling in 2012, while they were once regulars in British colours. One of their finest moments together came at the 2011 Road World Championships where Cavendish claimed a remarkable sprint win after being aided by the selfless work of Thomas, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and others.

“It’s been good. It’s been emotional,” Thomas reflected on his own Giro. “I had to stop reading text messages yesterday because I was starting to well up but it’s been a great race.

“The boys have been an amazing team and I’ve really enjoyed it. I might be 37 but I feel at least 27.”

After Blythe said he spotted his son Max on the side of the road, Thomas added: “That’s what brings it home. It shows it’s not just about bike racing at the end of the day.

“He [Max] jumped on the bus and just wanted to show me a box that he had painted that he was dead proud of. It’s great to see that and now I can enjoy a bit of time with them.”

Thomas finished second in the general classification, 14 seconds down on Roglic, as his dream of becoming the oldest Giro winner in history were snuffed out on the final weekend.

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