Geraint Thomas: First place in the Giro d’Italia isn’t gone because Tadej Pogačar is here

Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) is under no illusion that winning the Giro d’Italia will be a daunting task but last year’s runner-up isn’t willing to give up on the race even though Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) is on the start line and seen as the overwhelming favourite.

Thomas finished second last year to Primož Roglič and just like in 2023, he’s had a quiet build-up to this year’s race too, with a handful of stage races used for training rather than results chasing.

He heads into the Giro d’Italia with a strong team around him and a parcours that suits his skills as a solid all-rounder with a pedigree for three-week racing, but Pogačar has been on another level this year. To many, this is the Slovenian’s race to lose but the Welshman isn’t willing to give up a second Grand Tour title just yet.

“You don’t think that first place is gone and if anything it takes the pressure off because everyone expects him to win and they don’t expect us to do anything so there’s no pressure from that side of things,” Thomas told GCN and other members of the media during a pre-race press conference in Turin.

Read more: Giro d’Italia 2024: Essential race preview

“It does make the race different to last year, 100 per cent, but we’re confident. The main thing was about getting here in good shape and then you just do what you can. Obviously it’s a massive task because Tadej is a phenomenal bike rider and as I’ve said recently, one of the greatest ever, but we’re relishing the challenge. They’ve got a strong team but so do we and there are plenty of other strong bike riders here as well. It’s also the Giro and a lot can go good and bad, as we all know. We’re excited.”

Thomas hasn’t cracked the top 10 in any of the three stage races he’s taken part in this year but the 37-year-old veteran is relaxed regarding his form. He was in a similar, if not worse position last year, when an infection disrupted his winter and spring yet he found his stride in the Giro and only missed out on the final maglia rosa by a mere 14 seconds.

“It’s been a slightly slower start this year with the hope of riding the Tour de France after this but I feel like I’ve had a much smoother run-in this year compared to last year when I had my illness. I’m excited about getting racing, we’ve got a good strong team with a good atmosphere, there’s a few new guys and we’re all itching to go,” he said.

Read more: Tadej Pogačar is a bit of a freak but he’s beatable at the Giro d’Italia, says Cummings

“This year has been a lot more straightforward and I do feel in training a bit stronger but who knows because every year and every race is different but I feel like I’ve done everything that I can to be in a good place, so I’ll just get out there and race the race. Hopefully, we’re right up there.”

For everything you need to know about the 2024 Giro d'Italia, from the history of the race to this year's route and start list, be sure to check out our dedicated race hub.