Geraint Thomas opens contract talks with Ineos Grenadiers over new deal as he steers away from retirement

Geraint Thomas is in talks to sign a new deal with Ineos Grenadiers.

The 2018 Tour de France winner is coming to the end of a two-year deal he signed in 2021, and is keen to continue competing.

Although he previously hinted at retirement, Thomas is fully focussed on upcoming challenges – starting with the Giro d’Italia – as he enters contract negotiations with the team over a potential new deal.

“This is a big year for me. It’s contract year and I could stop but I’m keen to continue and conversations have started with the team,” he said. “I’m focused on this race [Giro] right now, get the most out of it and hopefully, once we’ve finished in Rome, we will cross that bridge.”

Despite 2023 potentially being Thomas’ last year as a professional with the legendary cyclist turning 37 during the Giro, he’s set for joint leadership of Ineos alongside Tao Geoghegan Hart when the Giro starts on Saturday.

“This year has been stop-start because of a viral infection which has been really frustrating, but it has made me realise that I still love competing,” he explained. “I still get a real buzz from racing and pushing myself in training, which is important because I still want to be up at the pointy end of the race.

“My wife and son are settled, which really helps, so I’m just enjoying it while I still can.”

Thomas will be eyeing success for the first time at this particular Grand Tour in Italy, having abandoned the race in 2017 as a result of injuries suffered in a pile-up and fractured his hip after crashing out in 2020.

The Giro d’Italia gets underway in Fossacesia on Saturday.

– – –